The New Fisker, AKA Elux, Teases the Next Karma

Elux Karma (Credit: © Elux)

Fisker has essentially been out of business since 2012, but in 2014 Wanxiang Group, a parts group in China, bought the company following its 2013 bankruptcy filing. Since the day the Chinese company bought Fisker, it has maintained the stance that it will revive the company and the only car it ever produced, the Karma.

Fast-forward to April 2015, and we finally get our first look at the new Karma, as “The New Fisker,” which Wanxiang will rebrand as Elux, released a teaser image on its homepage. Along with the image is some text that reads “It’s On, Luxury Energized, Energy Optimized” and below that it reads “Introducing April 2015.”

Other than the announcement of its release, the teaser image is useless, as it is nothing more than a repurposed and lightly Photoshop’d image of the original Karma. However, Wanxiang has long stood by its intentions to pattern the looks of the Elux Karma after the original model (read: copy it), but add in new features to make it competitive in today’s market.

Honestly, I think this is a brilliant idea. Had it not been for Fisker’s money-management issues and growing pains in the quality department, it may still be around today. I personally drove one, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was comfortable, neat looking, quick, luxurious, unique, and efficient. Sure, not everyone loves the Karma, but it has the potential to be a profitable machine with the right management team.

Does Wanxiang have what it takes to make Fisker, errr, Elux a success in its second life? Only time will tell, so stay tuned.