Fisker, the struggling electric vehicle startup, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid mounting financial woes and production challenges. The company, known for its Fisker Ocean electric SUV, had previously warned of a potential collapse due to insufficient funds to survive another year, reports 美国有线电视新闻网.

菲斯科发言人在一份声明中承认了公司面临的困难，他说："与电动汽车行业的其他公司一样，我们也面临着各种市场和宏观经济的不利因素，影响了我们的高效运营能力。

生产和质量问题困扰菲斯科 Ocean SUV

Fisker’s sole product, the Ocean electric SUV, has been plagued by production delays and quality problems. In 2023, only about half of the approximately 10,000 SUVs manufactured were delivered to customers. The vehicle also received scathing reviews, with popular YouTuber Marques Brownlee advising viewers not to buy the current version of the Fisker Ocean in a video that garnered 5.7 million views.

CEO Henrik Fisker admitted to the Ocean’s quality issues in an interview with Automotive News, blaming software incompatibility from different suppliers. He claimed that updates were being implemented to address these problems.

激烈竞争和行业逆风

Since its establishment in 2016, Fisker has faced increasing competition from established automakers entering the electric SUV market. Companies like Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and General Motors now offer similar vehicles without the risks associated with a startup. Additionally, China’s BYD has emerged as a formidable challenger to Tesla in the global EV market.

The electric vehicle industry as a whole is experiencing slower growth. The International Energy Agency forecasts a 21% rise in worldwide plug-in vehicle sales for 2024, down from the 35% increase seen in 2023. Factors such as higher prices compared to conventional cars and insufficient public charging infrastructure are hindering faster adoption in the United States and Europe.

菲斯科寻求资产出售和金融利益相关者讨论

菲斯科选择了破产保护途径，该途径允许公司重组并解决财务问题。这家初创公司目前正在就出售资产事宜与金融利益相关者进行 "深入讨论"。此前与一家大型老牌汽车制造商就潜在的救援交易进行的谈判在未达成协议的情况下告吹。

EVXL’s Take

菲斯科公司的破产申请严酷地提醒人们，电动汽车初创企业在快速发展和竞争日益激烈的市场中面临着种种挑战。虽然电动汽车革命的势头依然强劲，但并非所有参与者都能在这场革命中生存下来。与菲斯科这样的新公司相比，拥有雄厚资金和规模经济的老牌汽车制造商具有明显优势。

As the industry matures, consolidation and partnerships may become more common. Startups will need to differentiate themselves through innovative technologies, superior customer experiences, and efficient production processes to stand a chance against the giants of the automotive world. Fisker’s downfall underscores the importance of execution and the need for a robust business model in the face of market headwinds and fierce competition.

照片由菲斯科提供。