As reported by the New York Times yesterday, the two leading manufacturers of electric cars in the US are involved in a serious quarrel over alleged theft of vehicle design and trade secrets.
Tesla Motors, who recently began production of their electric Roadster, claims that Henrik Fisker took on an $875,000 design contract with Tesla in order to access confidential design information. After producing “inferior work,” Fisker launched his own company, Fisker Automotive, and released an $80,000 competing vehicle—the Fisker Karma—less than a year later.
“I think it’s ironic that Fisker chose to name his car the Karma, when what he’s done is very bad karma,” said Adam C. Belsky, a lawyer at Gross, Belsky & Alonso who represents Tesla.
Tesla is hoping the lawsuit will bar Fisker from using Tesla design documents, as well as return the design contract money and an unreported amount in punitive damages.
Interestingly enough, Tesla Motors is also being sued by its transmission supplier, Magna, for allegedly failing to pay them for contract work.
It sounds like a lawsuit nightmare for Tesla, who already experienced significant delays in releasing their Roadster (due to trouble with the transmission). Learn more about Tesla’s First Electric Vehicle, the 2008 Roadster, and Fisker’s Eco-Chic Karma.
For more on this story, see the New York Times article, Earth2Tech, and Autopia.
Photo Credit: Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive
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About Clayton B. Cornell
Nice design. Nice to see an electric car that doesn’t actually look like an electric car.
Nice design. Nice to see an electric car that doesn’t actually look like an electric car.
The Fisker (blue) design initially looks good. But on closer inspection it’s awful! It’s a 4 door sedan, with a long bonnet and what appears to be very cramped and minimal cabin space.
Why not take advantage of the compact electric engine? Make use of a shorter bonnet, lots of internal cabin space.. this design is all about style, and inspired by the petrol engined vehicle.. No originality or sense of proper purpose. Lousy and lazy if you ask me.
The Fisker (blue) design initially looks good. But on closer inspection it’s awful! It’s a 4 door sedan, with a long bonnet and what appears to be very cramped and minimal cabin space.
Why not take advantage of the compact electric engine? Make use of a shorter bonnet, lots of internal cabin space.. this design is all about style, and inspired by the petrol engined vehicle.. No originality or sense of proper purpose. Lousy and lazy if you ask me.
I’m not surprized. Someone finally comes out with an exciting design and it get’s tied up in court battles so the public will never be able to get it. Smells of suppression to me. That’s why the U.S. is so far behind other countries in emerging technology. The public suffers and the rich still control us.
I’m not surprized. Someone finally comes out with an exciting design and it get’s tied up in court battles so the public will never be able to get it. Smells of suppression to me. That’s why the U.S. is so far behind other countries in emerging technology. The public suffers and the rich still control us.
I’m not surprized. Someone finally comes out with an exciting design and it get’s tied up in court battles so the public will never be able to get it. Smells of suppression to me. That’s why the U.S. is so far behind other countries in emerging technology. The public suffers and the rich still control us.
I wanna know why the car is so long. I also wanna know if the people in the back have room because by looking at the picture it looks like they just chopped off the back if you know what i mean. however i do like the body of the car it still has a modern feel to it. Im glad people are still with us here. Im not a fan of the concept bodies .