Fisker electric cars find DE retail home
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
By: Tom Byrne
tbyrne@whyy.org
Just days after Fisker Automotive announced its plans to build hybrid electric cars at the recently shuttered GM Boxwood Road plant, the company has found a local dealer to sell its product.
Union Park Automotive Group in Wilmington has signed on to sell Fisker products starting next summer when Fisker rolls out its luxury sedan, the Karma. Union Park is already accepting orders for the Karma, which is slated to have a $87,900 starting price tag. It will add the Fisker family sedan, the Nina, in 2012. The Nina is slated to be built at the Boxwood Road plant.
Union Park Automotive Group vice president Jim Ursomarso says he's not certain how much it will cost to add Fisker to its sale line-up, but admits it will be expensive. "You're dealing with training the service personnel. Parts. You've got to have a parts inventory, provide space in your part warehouse, train a parts specialist on it. Obviously, we have to train the sales people, have a manager that will oversee the operation and provide the facility." Ursomarso said. "So, it will be an investment, but we think it will be a good one."
Ursomarso, who has had dealer previews of both the Karma and the Nina, says his optimism is based on a couple of factors. "We think in the case of the Fisker what will make it a success is that it has the exceptional styling, the design that will attract people to it initially, and then they'll learn about the technology. said Ursomarso. "They'll love it when they drive it, and they'll love it when they see it and they'll appreciate that its a better vehicle for the environment."
Ursomarso adds that having the car produced locally also made selling the Fiskers attractive t0 Union Park. "Having the plant here is great for us. It provides a lot of awareness. It gets people interested in the car. We're hoping to do some special events at the plant. Maybe (customers) can walk their car through the line when its being built. We'll see."
Union Park is currently home to Buick, Honda, BMW, Jaguar, Volvo, and GMC showrooms at its Pennsylvania Avenue location in Wilmington.