For many car enthusiasts, the name Fisker brings back images of sleek, futuristic cars and bold promises about the future of electric vehicles. Yet the story behind the brand is far from simple. There have been two different companies carrying the Fisker name: the original Fisker Automotive, and the later Fisker Inc. Both were led by famous designer Henrik Fisker, and both faced serious financial problems that eventually led to bankruptcy. Because of this, people often ask a simple but important question: Is Fisker Automotive still in business, or is the brand gone for good? This article walks through the full journey in plain language so you can clearly understand what happened, why it matters, and what the future might look like for the Fisker name.
History of Fisker Automotive
Fisker Automotive was founded in 2007 as a luxury car company based in California. Its goal was ambitious: to build one of the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid cars. That dream became reality with the Fisker Karma, a low, wide, aggressively styled sedan that turned heads wherever it went. The car combined a gasoline engine with an electric drivetrain, aiming to offer performance, style, and sustainability in one package.
However, behind the beautiful design, the company struggled almost from the start. Production delays, supplier problems, and high development costs made it difficult for Fisker Automotive to become profitable. The company depended heavily on a battery supplier called A123 Systems. When that supplier ran into trouble and filed for bankruptcy, Fisker’s production was disrupted. Combined with recalls and quality issues, this created a chain reaction of financial stress that the young company could not survive.
Is Fisker Automotive Still in Business?
The short and clear answer is: No, the original Fisker Automotive is not still in business. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2013, and its main assets were later sold at auction. What confuses many people is that the Fisker brand name and logo did not disappear completely. A new company called Karma Automotive took over the old platform and factory, while Henrik Fisker kept the rights to use his own surname as a brand.
So even though you might still see cars that look like the old Karma on the road, they are now sold and supported by Karma Automotive, not Fisker Automotive. Legally and practically, the original company that launched the Karma is gone. What survives is a mix of its technology, its vehicles, and its influence on later electric car startups.
What Happened to the Original Fisker Automotive
After the launch of the Fisker Karma, the company faced a series of blows that it could not recover from. The battery supplier bankruptcy meant cars could not be built or delivered as planned. At the same time, Fisker Automotive had taken on significant debt and government-backed loans to fund development and production. When sales slowed and costs rose, the business model no longer worked.
By 2012, production of the Karma had been suspended, and by 2013 the company officially filed for bankruptcy. In 2014, Chinese company Wanxiang Group bought most of Fisker Automotive’s assets, including the manufacturing equipment and the rights to the Karma vehicle design. Wanxiang used these assets to launch Karma Automotive, which later released updated versions of the car under new names. The original Fisker Automotive, however, effectively ended with that sale.
Fisker Inc.: The “New” Fisker Explained
Several years later, Henrik Fisker returned with a fresh vision: Fisker Inc., founded in 2016. This time, the focus was on fully electric vehicles, modern software, and a more flexible manufacturing model. While the brand name was similar, this was a new company, not a revival of the old Fisker Automotive.
Fisker Inc. positioned itself as a design-led, sustainability-focused EV brand. Instead of owning factories, it planned to partner with established manufacturers to build its cars. The most important model in this new era was the Fisker Ocean, a mid-size electric SUV aimed at the growing global EV market.
How Fisker Inc. Is Different from Fisker Automotive
The key difference between Fisker Automotive and Fisker Inc. lies in their business models and timing. Fisker Automotive tried to do many things itself in an era when the EV market was still very young. It invested heavily in physical production and relied on a single battery supplier.
Fisker Inc., on the other hand, followed an “asset-light” model. The idea was to focus on design, software, and branding, while leaving the complex manufacturing work to partners. The company entered the market at a time when EVs were more accepted, charging infrastructure was improving, and investors were excited about electric mobility. On paper, it seemed like the second attempt had a better chance.
The Fisker Ocean and Other EV Plans
The Fisker Ocean was meant to be the flagship of the new brand—a stylish, eco-conscious SUV built with recycled materials and advanced tech features. Production was handled by Magna Steyr in Austria, a well-known contract manufacturer. Fisker Inc. also teased other models, such as the Fisker Pear (a smaller, more affordable EV) and the Fisker Alaska (an electric pickup truck).
However, while the Ocean did reach customers, the rollout was slower and more problematic than expected. Software issues, quality concerns, delivery delays, and an increasingly competitive EV market made it hard for Fisker Inc. to achieve the scale it needed.
Reason for Closure
Both versions of Fisker suffered from a similar core problem: the huge cost and complexity of building cars at scale. Even with strong designs and good ideas, the companies faced financial pressure from high development costs, supplier challenges, and slower-than-expected sales. In the case of Fisker Automotive, supplier bankruptcy and production problems were major triggers.
For Fisker Inc., the issues were more about cash flow, competition, and execution. The company needed strong sales and steady funding to survive, but it struggled with both. When hoped-for partnerships and investments failed to materialize, and when the EV market became more crowded with cheaper and better-known brands, Fisker Inc. could no longer cover its costs.
Financial Troubles and Bankruptcy Filings
The original Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy in 2013, ending its short but memorable run in the auto industry. Its assets were sold off and absorbed into Karma Automotive.
Fisker Inc. followed a similar path about a decade later. After going public and launching the Ocean, the company reported growing losses and warned investors that it might not be able to continue as a going concern. In 2024, Fisker Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a process that allows a company to reorganize or liquidate under court supervision. In Fisker’s case, the plan moved toward liquidation, meaning assets such as vehicles, technology, and branding are sold to pay creditors.
Possible Future of the Fisker Brand
Even though both companies have failed, the Fisker name still carries recognition and emotional value, especially among EV fans. That means there is always a chance that another investor, automaker, or tech group may buy the brand, the designs, or certain assets and try to revive them in a new form. We have already seen something similar with Karma Automotive, which grew out of Fisker Automotive’s leftovers.
In the near term, the more realistic future lies in support for existing vehicles. Owners of Fisker cars will look to see which service agreements, parts supplies, or third-party providers step in to help keep their vehicles on the road. Longer-term, if market conditions and investor interest align, the Fisker name could return once again—but that remains speculative, not guaranteed.
Conclusion: Is Fisker Really Gone for Good?
So, is Fisker Automotive still in business? The honest answer is no. The original Fisker Automotive closed after its 2013 bankruptcy, and the later Fisker Inc. is now in bankruptcy as well. What remains is a complicated legacy: bold designs, important lessons for EV startups, and a brand name that refuses to disappear from public memory.
From a practical point of view, Fisker is not currently operating as a normal, ongoing car manufacturer. Yet in the auto world, brands are sometimes brought back to life years later by new owners. Whether that will happen again with Fisker is still unknown. For now, the story of Fisker is a reminder that creating beautiful electric cars is only one part of success. Building a stable, profitable business around them is an even tougher challenge.
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