Fisker wants $5,000 nonrefundable downpayment to buy Ocean One
In a March press launch, Fisker Automotive stated it had surpassed 40,000 reservations for its Ocean SUV and would “open pre-order reservations for the limited-edition Fisker Ocean One on July 1, 2022, as a consequence of anticipated demand.” Later in the identical launch, CEO Henrik Fisker stated, “Our purpose is to be fully clear with our prospects. … We don’t need reservation holders who count on to buy a Fisker Ocean One to be disillusioned, so we’re offering them now with the chance to safe their automobile.” These anticipating the possibility to purchase an Ocean One may not have been disillusioned by the e-mail Fisker despatched this week, however they definitely would have been stunned. As reported by Electrek, seems the supply of “pre-order reservations” was really an invite to pay a $5,000 nonrefundable downpayment for an Ocean One. As in, this is not a reservation, that is the start of the acquisition course of, and a change of coronary heart will not get the cash again.
We have to make three issues clear. First, this solely applies to the limited-edition, $69,000 Ocean One. Buyers within the serial manufacturing Ocean are effective with their $250 deposit. Second, Fisker is not the primary EV maker to ask a wholesome four-figure deposit. When Lucid unveiled the manufacturing model of the Air, it took reservations from $300 to $7,5000 relying on trim. In fact, the important thing distinction is that each one of Lucid’s reservations had been refundable. Third, it is not like there aren’t 1000’s of individuals shopping for automobiles sight-unseen these days. GMC Hummer EV and Ford F-150 Lightning consumers reserved, then paid for, then laid eyes on their rigs. And between the herds of automotive flippers and customers simply attempting to get the brand new automobile they need, people aren’t solely shopping for sight unseen on-line, they’re driving lots of of miles to do it.
With that out of the best way, as an example we nonetheless assume that is an, ahem, gutsy transfer on Fisker’s half. Established automakers with a century of manufacturing data and gold-plated provider relationships cannot get autos in-built a well timed method. Nascent EV makers just like the aforementioned Lucid, in addition to Rivian, usually tend to announce manufacturing cuts or delays than a manufacturing milestone. Living proof, Fisker deliberate to have its contracted Ocean builder, Magna, operating the Ocean down traces on the finish of final 12 months. Manufacturing stays on observe for November of this 12 months, however each automaker has plans till the provision chain and chip scarcity punches these plans within the mouth. Between the worldwide industrial scenario and Fisker’s considerably shaky historical past, throwing $5,000 at an Ocean makes essentially the most sense as a tax writeoff, and hey, if and when a purchaser will get an Ocean One finally, that is a bonus.
A observe on that “when” half, the letter stated Fisker aimed to have all Ocean Ones delivered by September 2023. Henrik Fisker informed Fiskerati that the highest Excessive trim “will begin manufacturing alongside [the] One.” These two fashions have the identical MSRP. After that, he stated “the Extremely and Sport will begin manufacturing on the finish of Q3 subsequent 12 months.” The corporate stated it did not count on to boost costs all through 2023 manufacturing, however it could not assure worth stability for these getting in line after 40,000 reservations had been made. By placing the entry-level Sport on the finish of the meeting queue — a standard transfer on this cash-hungry enterprise — worth bumps for many who do not have reservations but appear sure. However let’s get to November first and see what occurs.
