Fisker Automotive lost more than $30 million worth of luxury cars when a shipment of Karma plug-in hybrids was flooded during Superstorm Sandy.
More than 300 Karma cars, which each start around $100,000, were destroyed at a New Jersey port during the storm, Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher said on Tuesday.
The cars were insured and Fisker expects “no impact from a business or a financial point of view,” he said, adding that Fisker does not expect any problems with meeting U.S. demand.
In 2008, Fisker unveiled the Karma, the world’s first luxury Electric Vehicle with extended range. Technically a series plug-in hybrid, the Karma gives drivers the ability to run emission free on demand, as well as travel long distances without the range anxiety or long recharge times associated with pure electric vehicles. While the Karma can run on all-electric power in Stealth mode for 51.6 miles, it has a total range of up to 300 miles (483 km) before a stop for gas or recharge is required.
The 300 Karma plug-in hybrids were among the more than 10,000 vehicles damaged during the storm at Port Newark, Ormisher said, citing details he received from port officials.
