Fisker Automotive Signs Engine Agreement with BMW

Electric vehicle developer Fisker Automotive has chosen German automaker BMW to supply the engines for upcoming Fisker models.

Since its inception in 2007 California-based Fisker has been full steam ahead moving towards creating a family of luxury extended range electric vehicles. In September 2009 the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the company $528.7 million loan guarantee to further develop the auto-maker's first plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) the Fisker Karma and its next line, code named Project NINA.

The first batch of Karma's, which became available earlier this year, boast an all-electric drive range of 50 miles, solar roofs, and, when in "Sport Mode", can go from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds.

In October 2010 the company acquired a former General Motors plant in Wilmington, Deleware. Fisker paid $20 million for the facility which it has been retrofitting to produce its first mid-sized sedan. In all, it expects to invest $195 million in the project over the next three years.

In June, the company began posting job openings for its new Deleware facility. By February of 2012 the plant will host 120 employees which will begin producing Fisker's second line of PHEVs by the end of next year. When fully operationally Fisker expects the manufacturing facility to have a production capacity of 100,000 vehicles a year. This is the exact number of four-cylinder turbocharged engines it has ordered from BMW.

Fisker‘s CEO and Executive Design Director, Henrik Fisker said that with BMW's track record of producing the most fuel efficient engines it was the "obvious choice" for Fisker's new line of cars.

Image Credit: Fisker