A marketing manager from Southampton has been left with a £42,000 Fisker Ocean electric SUV that can’t be moved after the company’s software failed and it filed for insolvency.
Karin Simonsen, 52, purchased the vehicle in December 2023, despite concerns about the company’s financial stability following the bankruptcy of Henrik Fisker’s previous firm, Fisker Automotive, in 2013.
The car was plagued by software issues from the start, including problems with the key fob, air conditioning, sensors, and safety systems. Despite repeated visits from Fisker technicians, the problems persisted.
In June, Ms Simonsen attempted to return the car under warranty, but when technicians arrived to collect it, they found that it wouldn’t start due to an issue with the 12-volt battery. The alarm was constantly going off, so they disabled the battery, effectively rendering the vehicle immobile.
Days later, Fisker Inc. filed for Chapter 11 insolvency in the US, taking its UK operations with it. The British subsidiary, Fisker (GB) Ltd, subsequently filed a petition to be wound up.
Ms Simonsen has been left in limbo, unsure when or if she will receive a refund. She has been speaking to members of the Fisker Owners Association and trying to file a claim as a creditor in Fisker’s US insolvency case.
The experience has put her off electric motoring for life, and she says she will stick to fossil fuel vehicles until car manufacturers can prove they can make reliable electric cars.
