Karma Automotive
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California , United States |
Area served | North America, Europe, South America, Middle East |
Key people | Marques McCammon (CEO, 2023–present) |
| Products | Luxury electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles |
Number of employees | Unknown (laid off 260 employees between 2019 and 2020) |
| Website | karmaautomotive |
Karma Automotive is an American luxury electric vehicle manufacturer operating as a privately held company since its establishment in 2014. The company’s headquarters are located in Irvine, California, and it maintains a production facility in Moreno Valley. Karma distributes its vehicles through a network of dealerships spanning North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
History
In February 2014, the Chinese automotive parts conglomerate Wanxiang Group acquired the assets of Fisker Automotive at a bankruptcy auction for $149.2 million. This acquisition included vehicle designs, a plug-in hybrid powertrain system, and the former Wilmington Assembly plant in Delaware. Fisker Automotive, established in 2007 by Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, had manufactured approximately 2,000 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid sedans before filing for bankruptcy due to the collapse of its battery supplier A123 Systems. Wanxiang also purchased A123 Systems following its financial failure.
From these acquisitions, Wanxiang created Karma Automotive.
In early 2016, Karma was involved in an attempt to reverse-engineer technology from one of its parts suppliers using an intermediary buyer. Later that year, in October 2016, Wanxiang placed the Wilmington factory on the market; it was sold in 2017 and subsequently demolished by 2019. By 2020, Amazon constructed a 3.7 million square-foot fulfillment center on this site, which began operations in 2021.
Production of the Revero commenced in 2016 at Karma’s Moreno Valley facility. The model was unveiled in September 2016 with initial production goals set at 3,000 units. The company targeted manufacturing roughly 150 vehicles in 2018 and anticipated an annual output between 200 and 300 thereafter. In April 2019, Karma recalled all Revero units due to defective rollover sensors that could deactivate the side-curtain airbags.
In 2019, Karma inaugurated its Innovation and Customization Center and formed a partnership with electric vehicle manufacturer AYRO to produce 20,000 electric delivery vehicles by 2023. This center is responsible for tasks such as frame and chassis assembly, integration of powertrains, and robotic painting processes.
Confronted with financial challenges, Karma reduced its workforce by laying off 200 employees in November 2019 and an additional 60 workers in February 2020. In July 2020, the company secured $100 million from investors and revealed intentions to license its electric vehicle platform to other automotive manufacturers to generate supplementary income.
In November 2020, Karma initiated legal action against Lordstown Motors, accusing them of technology theft.
Leadership
- Tom Corcoran (2014–2017)
- Liang Zhou (2017–2023)
- Marques McCammon (2023–present)
Revero
The Karma Revero is a luxury plug-in hybrid electric sedan that received the Luxury Green Car of the Year award from Green Car Journal in 2018. It offers an approximate total driving range of 300 miles by combining electric and gasoline power sources, with an electric-only range near 50 miles.
Revero GT
The Revero GT represents an upgraded luxury PHEV model that earned the Luxury Green Car of the Year accolade in 2020. Equipped with launch control capability, it accelerates from zero to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. The GT version delivers an estimated total range of around 360 miles and approximately 80 miles purely on electric power. Karma intends to establish the Revero GT as its premier model by enhancing it with an all-wheel-drive system producing over 1,100 horsepower.
GS Series
Launched in 2021, the GS Series marks the introduction of the company's inaugural battery-electric sedan and incorporates strategies to lower prices throughout the lineup.
GS-6
The GS-6 is a plug-in hybrid with extended range capabilities, combining electric and gasoline power to achieve a total driving distance of up to . It utilizes a dual-motor system rated at 400 kW, generating 536 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque.
GSe-6
The GSe-6 represents a fully electric variant equipped with an 85-kWh battery, providing a maximum range of . A larger 105-kWh battery version with an extended range beyond was in development but was discontinued in 2023. This model shares the GS-6’s powertrain setup, featuring a 400-kW output from two motors delivering 536 hp.
Karma GT by Pininfarina
Based on the 2020 Revero platform, the Karma GT by Pininfarina is a luxury coupe with a range-extender hybrid system, first revealed at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.
SC1 Vision Concept
The SC1 Vision Concept is an all-electric sports vehicle without a roof, equipped with scissor-style doors, and debuted at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show.
SC2 Concept
Presented ahead of the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the SC2 Concept is an all-electric sports car featuring scissor doors and delivering 1,100 horsepower. It earned the title of 2020 Concept Car of the Year from Robb Report.
See also
- Fisker Coachbuild (2005–2007)
- Fisker Automotive (2007–2014)
- Fisker Inc. (2016–2024)
- VLF Automotive