Al Futtaim to plug into hybrid demand in region with Fisker cars

Dubai Al Futtaim said it has acquired the distributorship of US-made Fisker hybrid vehicles for the GCC countries as alternate fuel options are opening up for car buyers in the UAE and the Gulf.

The formal launch of the plug-in hybrids will coincide with the Abu Dhabi Motor Show in late Nov-ember and the first dedicated Fisker showroom — set for Dubai Festival City — will be ready by the fourth quarter.

The indicative price for the Karma in the UAE has not been disclosed.

In the United States, the base model starts at $100,000 (Dh367,300).

Fisker Automotive, which itself came into being as recently as 2007, has been winning some good reviews for its Karma Sedan, including a mention in Time magazine's list of ‘Top 50 innovations for 2012'.

For Al Futtaim Group, the deal thus represents a coup of sorts.

"The Fisker Karma includes a standard 110V convenience charger [and] the optional 220/240v high-voltage charging station can easily be installed in homes with standard electrical service and will significantly reduce the charging time," said Len Hunt, president for the automotive division at the Dubai-based group, in an emailed statement to Gulf News.

"Running on the battery alone — which can be charged from an available 220V Fisker wall charger in about six hours — the Karma can cover 80km.

"After that, the range extender — a front or mid-mounted gasoline engine or generator set — provides another 400km of range by supplying supplemental power to dual rear-mounted electric motors.

Overnight charging

"This means that the driver can comfortably go about his business during the day and then charge the unit at home overnight."

The Al Futtaim Group has got a track record of selling hybrid vehicles, principally those belonging to the Lexus range. This is the first time, however, that it has tied up with an independent hybrid carmaker.

Apart from the Gulf, the Al Futtaim Group also holds the Fisker rights for the Levant territory as well as Egypt. Fisker expects to ramp up Karma production to plug into future demand from the Middle East.

The models are built at Fisker's Wilmington Delaware plant.