Fisker to start first round of job postings at Delaware plant

Fisker Automotive will begin the process of hiring workers to build hybrid electric cars at the former General Motors plant in Wilmington.

The California-based car maker announced through an e-mail Wednesday that it will launch the first stage of a comprehensive job creation program this weekend, as advertisements for the first positions are posted.

The company plans to hire about 120 employees in 2011. This initial group will be made up of engineering staff, electro-mechanical technicians, and early teams of production workers as Fisker starts preparing for the launch of its second line of production vehicles, known as “Project Nina,” at the end of 2012, with sales commencing in 2013.

When Fisker officials announced in October, 2009 that they would be coming to Delaware, they stated plans to eventually produce between 75,000-100,000 vehicles per year and create as many as 2,500 jobs.

The so-called “stylishly environmental” family sedan is expected to sell for about $40,000.

“2011 is a pivotal year for us in Delaware,” said Fisker Automotive Chief Operating Officer Bernhard Koehler in the e-mail. “As we start to hire new employees, we will begin the process of installing new equipment and testing the manufacturing process.”

The company has spent the last few months clearing out and re-commissioning the plant. Fisker cleared more than 11.2 million pounds of iron, steel, wood and aluminum on more than 400 truckloads to be recycled.

Fisker officials say the revenue generated from these recovery and recycling activities has been used to purchase more materials, tools and equipment, as well as additional factory improvements.