Karma Plug-in nears launch, Fisker hires Ad Agency


Startup car manufacturer Fisker Automotive is closing in on the launch of the 2011 plug-in hybrid Fisker Karma sports sedan. The lead guy for marketing, Marti Eulberg, hired an ad agency based in California, Lambesis to handle the launch.

The carmaker was asked several times why they were hiding the car from the public with only Prince Frederik of Norway, the only outsider that has driven it on the roads. Some may argue that Fisker had to do more testing because of the switch to lithium ion batteries late in the ball game. However executives of Fisker discounts that saying that they just have to make sure that everything is fully ready and running well.

Fisker had to do an extensive review of nine advertising agencies before giving the green light to Lambesis.

Fisker Karma Super Saloon Hybrid

The car manufacturer plans to roll out its first model this year, a 403 horsepower Karma that has a starting tag price of $90,000. They are looking into possible sales of around 15,000 units.

A launch for a new car may hit a high cost of around $50 million but Fisker has been doing rounds of the different auto shows and have been pushing for their products over the internet. The official website of Fisker has registered for it the most orders compared to the other possible channels.

Fisker entrusts the car to be globally promoted by Lambesis. Their first project will be to revamp Fisker’s website this fall.

McDonald’s in North Carolina offers Charging station for plug-ins


A McDonald’s branch in Cary, North Carolina is the first in the food chain business in more than 10 years to install a re-charging station for electric cars. McDonalds charging Plug-in HybridsThe ChargePoint is a step closer for the McDonald’s in Cary to go green. The owner also uses earth friendly materials and other technologies for the restaurant.

The branch is expected to open by 14 July. Car owners who will need to charge their plug-in vehicles will have a designated parking space. The ChargePoint is a way of McDonald’s to promote to the next generation the importance of a cleaner environment.

Back in the 1990’s a branch of McDonald’s in Phoenix, Arizona also put up a charging station to have room for an earlier wave of electric vehicles. Reports also reveal that installing charging stations in the network of McDonald’s in Sweden is also in the works.

How the plug-in vehicles in the market today may really be dependent on the presence of an infrastructure where owners can recharge their vehicles. These stations should be located ideally near their place of work or spots they frequent.

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