More executive changes for Fisker

Fisker Automotive’s Chief Operations Officer, Barny Koehler, has a new title and a new role within the company.  

The luxury electric carmaker quietly announced co-founder Koehler will now serve in the newly created position of Chief Business Development Officer, reporting to CEO Tom LaSorda.

“Barny Koehler will move from his operational role of bringing the Karma to market to focusing specifically on strategic initiatives and new business opportunities,” Fisker stated in a press release on its website. “Key activities will include pursuing strategic alliances and partnerships, sharing advanced technology and intellectual property, and exploring manufacturing synergies with other global partners.”

The announcement was significantly more subtle compared to when the automaker announced, via a highly publicized conference call, founder and CEO Henrik Fisker would serve as Executive Chairman, naming former Chrysler czar Tom LaSorda as his successor.

“In only four years, Fisker has established itself as a pioneer in the industry, with a great product and brand identity that is changing the way we think about cars,” said CEO Tom LaSorda. “Barny was critical in making this company a reality and now, as we grow our business and seek new opportunities with partners around the globe, I can’t imagine anyone better equipped to lead this effort.”

Fisker also recently named Jim Yost as Chief Financial Officer. With more than 30 years of automotive industry experience, Yost spent 27 of those years with Ford Motor Company.

All of these changes come as Fisker works to repair its image following a series of production gaffes and manufacturing setbacks. A few months back, the California-based company introduced its more affordable sedan, the Atlantic, which is supposed to be built at the former GM plant in Delaware. Production at the Boxwood Road plant, however, remains in limbo as the company tries to secure the second part of a frozen U.S. Dept. of Energy loan.