American automaker Fisker Inc. has found a manufacturing partner for its next electric vehicle project in the form of iPhone maker Foxconn.
Fisker announced this week that a deal has been signed with the Taiwanese contract manufacturer to work on its Project Personal Electric Automotive Revolution, better known as Project PEAR. The first goal is to develop a new lightweight platform called “FP28,” which will form the basis of the Project PEAR vehicle.
“Our partnership with Foxconn and the creation of Project PEAR has taken shape with remarkable speed and clarity of vision,” commented Fisker Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Henrik Fisker. “In order to deliver on our promise of product breakthroughs from Project PEAR, we needed to rethink every aspect of product development, sourcing, and manufacturing. Our partnership with Foxconn enables us to deliver those industry firsts at a price point that truly opens up electric mobility to the mass market.”
It’s the intention for production of Project PEAR to happen at a US manufacturing site, but a final decision has yet to be made on a location. For now, we can expect to see a Project PEAR “production-intent prototype” at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which is scheduled to take place between Nov. 19-28 this year. In the meantime, a co-located program management office between the US and Taiwan has been established to “coordinate design, engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing operations.”
Project PEAR will be Fisker’s second production model as it won’t start rolling off the production lines until Q4 2023. The Ocean SUV will start production in Europe a year earlier in Q4 2022.
“At under $30,000 with stunning design and innovation, we are rethinking the car, both in terms of proportions, design, interior functionality and connected user experience. Project PEAR comes just a year after we launch the Ocean,” added Mr. Fisker. “We see the tipping point for electric vehicles fast approaching and we are utterly focused on being ready to meet that demand. The Fisker brand will go beyond electrification, by taking the lead in design innovation and sustainability.”
