[SoCalGuy]

I thought it might be useful for us to compile a list of questions we'd like answered at today's town hall. This will also give those who can't participate live on the webinar a chance to ask questions via proxies (like me or others who will be on the call).

I'll start:

- When will 6.15 be rolled out?
- What will 6.15 cover?
- Will 6.15 be just a bug fix or will it enable cabin preconditioning, the solar screen, etc?
- Is there a software roadmap you can share with us (e.g. adding back in certain features)
- What is the timing on the updated Navigation system?
- Are all Karma's affected by the A123 battery problem?
- When will their be an official owners club/section of the website?
- Any customer events planned in the near future?

 

[drliu]

I'll add:

- Will Fisker be more transparent with its customer base going forward about exactly what software bugs or enhancements are addressed in each update, and what known bugs remain?

- How and by when will the A123 battery defect-affected customers be notified?

- What is the official Fisker-recommended protocol for turning on, turning off, and charging the Karma to minimize the impact of software glitches? Customers have reported quite a few elaborate procedures for each of these three daily tasks, and it would really help to know what will be necessary or not necessarily once 6.15 is installed.

 

[ffcars]

I have a feeling that we won't be asking too many questions or it will get ugly real quick. I suspect that the call will be to allow Fisker to update us on their $ status, their plan on fixing the software/hardware issues, and maybe their production plans.

I'm assuming this is going to be a warm and fuzzy meeting, but I could be wrong.

Besides the issues you listed, I would like to know these things:

- Could you make it so we have more control over the screen colors and brightness? Since it's just color screens, couldn't we choose whatever background color we want for day and one for night? I love the yellow background on my Ferrari and love to be able to change my Karma's color to yellow too; or red when the mood strikes, or even purple when my 4 year girl rides with me.
- Please make it so when the lights are on or off we can adjust the brightness and have it stay in that configuration each time the lights go on or off.
- To go one step further, could we control the font size?
- Do you plan on addressing the volume controls? ie; be able to set individual volume levels for radio, bluetooth phone, and nav.
- Is it possible to not make the easy exit take the seat so far back? It crushes my passengers legs! And she's only 4!
- When is the 2-door version coming and what's the MSRP?
- Can I order a silver car with all black leather; no suede?
- What's the projected tire life? Is there any alignment setting to allow more miles?
- Will we ever be able to change our "sound" while under 35 MPH?
- Is it possible to program the car to have more power? I don't care if it takes away battery range, I just want better acceleration when getting onto the freeway; "Super Sport" mode. I know the car has more potential, but was programed to get good MPG's.
- Is it possible to adjust the miles the Sport mode will hold? Currently set at 26.
- Would it be possible to offer a recessed accessory clear tray to replace the flat piece so we can store thing? Phone, key, etc.
- And while your at it, can you make the piece to include new cup holders that are larger?
- Do you plan on having a DVD/CD disk changer/player as an accessory? Could one be plugged into the control panel/head unit, even if the changer has to be in the trunk?
- Do you plan on having rear seat entertainment accessories (two DVD players/screens on the back of the front seat)? It would be very costly to cut into the headrests.

I'm excited about this call. I can't wait to hear the plan to fix the bugs.

I love my Fisker, but I'm tired of wondering what's not going to work every time I get into the car.

 

[Ross a klein]

When, In what order and by what means will the karmas receive the update and swap, will there be loaners and will there be official warranty extension documenting. Many of us are far from our originating dealers.....

 

[WOJO]

Don't get your hopes up.
We'll be lucky if we get at least 5 questions answered.

 

[SoCalGuy]

Henrik, LaSorda and Rich Beatie will be on the call. Hopefully many of the questions will get answered in their remarks, but I also understand there will be a Q&A component as well.

 

[doc]

Cheers to all the questions above!!! ffcars...you read my mind, love it Super Sport mode (maybe we can get them to program the glove box button to do this). Hopefully one of the moderators takes a look at this page and addresses all of our mutual concerns. P.S. Cheers to Fisker Automotive for making this possible!

 

[VegasKarma]

What about the front bumper lifting by the lights. What is the fix for that? Double sided tape is NOT a $100,000+ fix. Add that to the questions.

 

[Fabulist]

Cheers to all the questions above!!! ffcars...you read my mind, love it Super Sport mode (maybe we can get them to program the glove box button to do this). Hopefully one of the moderators takes a look at this page and addresses all of our mutual concerns. P.S. Cheers to Fisker Automotive for making this possible!

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but as the designated voice of reason here, I need to point out that we all should have realistic (i.e., low) expectations on the number of user-facing bugs that are going to be addressed by 615. My sense is that Fisker has been focusing heavily on reliability and usability in this update, and there are probably a lot of fixes in the software that are not visible to the car's user because they are not connected to a specific feature.

The important thing, IMHO, is to keep an open mind and find out, as much as possible, how the changes make the software more reliable, more robust, and more flexible as a foundation to build on and improve. This is a major effort by Fisker and a very important one but we are setting ourselves up for disappointment if we set our expectations too high.

I would also love to have "Super Sport" or "Sport+" modes, I would love to have "Launch Control" that would override the software limits on the inverters just long enough that I can smoke the smug-looking V8/V10/V12 and Tesla drivers off the line once in a great while, and all the other great ideas everyone has come up with. But before any of that, there needs to be rock-solid and absolutely reliable controlling the basic operations of the car that does not need to be started with an Apollo 13 checklist or that lights up warning lights for no reason, etc. And I think that is what Fisker needs to strive for right now. Everything else can be built on top of that solid foundation.

 

[tyler]

When, In what order and by what means will the karmas receive the update and swap, will there be loaners and will there be official warranty extension documenting. Many of us are far from our originating dealers.....

I think that having a loaner is up to the dealer. My dealer has one loaner at this time that he maintains and just cylces people through for updates and stuff making sure that whoevers car is in the shop has the loaner.

 

[Ross a klein]

Thanks Tyler, I'm a very patient owner and supporter, I just can't make a part time job out of my fisker service, nor do I want to b e without my car for a month...it's a tough situation for everyone.

 

[WOJO]

Thanks Tyler, I'm a very patient owner and supporter, I just can't make a part time job out of my fisker service, nor do I want to b e without my car for a month...it's a tough situation for everyone.

So True :thumbup:

 

[Dutch]

I second Fab. This is an important step forward from Fisker, but let's be realistic: in one webinar the Fisker-team will never ever be able to answer all of our questions, because there are literally hundreds of them. The webinar has to focus on fixing important issues first, before we start presenting our wish lists for upgrades to the car/control system. I'm sure there will be future webinars that are better suited for this, if this first one is considered a mutual success.

 

[MyColorIsGreen]

The webinar should be after the 615 update.. why backtrack on issues that may have been resolved..

Webinars are a waste of time because I always get muted

 

[tyler]

any of the 2 new recap thread and the 2 recaps in the original Webinar thread should answer your questions

 

[ixtractm]

Cheers to all the questions above!!! ffcars...you read my mind, love it Super Sport mode (maybe we can get them to program the glove box button to do this). Hopefully one of the moderators takes a look at this page and addresses all of our mutual concerns. P.S. Cheers to Fisker Automotive for making this possible!

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but as the designated voice of reason here, I need to point out that we all should have realistic (i.e., low) expectations on the number of user-facing bugs that are going to be addressed by 615. My sense is that Fisker has been focusing heavily on reliability and usability in this update, and there are probably a lot of fixes in the software that are not visible to the car's user because they are not connected to a specific feature.

The important thing, IMHO, is to keep an open mind and find out, as much as possible, how the changes make the software more reliable, more robust, and more flexible as a foundation to build on and improve. This is a major effort by Fisker and a very important one but we are setting ourselves up for disappointment if we set our expectations too high.

I would also love to have "Super Sport" or "Sport+" modes, I would love to have "Launch Control" that would override the software limits on the inverters just long enough that I can smoke the smug-looking V8/V10/V12 and Tesla drivers off the line once in a great while, and all the other great ideas everyone has come up with. But before any of that, there needs to be rock-solid and absolutely reliable controlling the basic operations of the car that does not need to be started with an Apollo 13 checklist or that lights up warning lights for no reason, etc. And I think that is what Fisker needs to strive for right now. Everything else can be built on top of that solid foundation.

Fab,

Thanks for the voice of reason. At this point I aggree that the objective needs to be addressing the reliablity issues that will dispel the recent bad press as well as keeping the Karmas running! That will best serve us all. The other options would be nice but for me a supersport mode for a 5300 pound car is not as high on my priority list. The command center issues and "luxury and usabilty" issues are more of a priority for me.

Jeff

 

[Fabulist]

What Happened to the Next Town Hall?

I thought the Town Halls were supposed to be regular events and there was some discussion about having one on April 30. We are now in May and I have not heard anything more about a post 615 town hall meeting. Anyone heard anything more about this?

Anyone from Fisker care to update us on any future Town Hall meetings planned or contemplated?

 

[Karma 2012]

RE: What Happened to the Next Town Hall?

I thought the Town Halls were supposed to be regular events and there was some discussion about having one on April 30. We are now in May and I have not heard anything more about a post 615 town hall meeting. Anyone heard anything more about this?

Anyone from Fisker care to update us on any future Town Hall meetings planned or contemplated?

I think they got enough headaches from all the issues people brought up in the last meeting. They won't be asking for more. There is no educational value being kicked by the mule for the second time. They need to knock out all the serious problems at hand before asking for more beating. lol

 

[drliu]

I think the Town Hall was favorably received by both the customers and by Fisker. Yes, there are always awkward moments with not-perfectly-happy customers meet (or e-meet) with the leadership of a company, but Fisker would be crazy to not continue these as the prime example of their new commitment to customer service and communication.

Fisker reps: please tell me I'm right!