The Rise and Fall of Fisker: How a Promising EV Startup Left Its Customers in the Lurch

As I reflect on the recent collapse of Fisker, the electric vehicle (EV) startup that once promised to revolutionize the automotive industry, I am reminded of the old adage: “pride comes before a fall.” For Fisker owners, the company’s demise has been a harsh reality check, leaving them with slowly falling-apart vehicles and a lingering sense of abandonment.

The Struggle is Real

I recently spoke to several Fisker owners, all of whom shared similar stories of frustration and disappointment. Steven Hammer, a Fisker owner from Colorado, spent months trying to source a replacement glass panel for his Ocean’s “SolarSky Roof,” a roof-mounted solar panel that was supposed to supplement his battery. After months of trying to reach someone from the company, Hammer is now paying to transport his car to a Fisker-certified dealership in another state.

The Challenges of Owning a Fisker

For Fisker owners, the issues with their vehicles have proven difficult or impossible to fix, thanks to the company’s collapse. One owner, who wished to remain anonymous, had to message current and former Fisker employees on Reddit and LinkedIn to acquire a new key fob after the company went bankrupt in June. Another owner, who also wished to remain anonymous, is still waiting to fix a battery problem that made his car unusable in April.

A Lack of Customer Support

Fisker’s customer support was always a weak point, but it has gotten significantly worse since the company’s collapse. According to Hammer, “They never had enough customer service personnel, but it’s gotten so much worse as they’ve gotten into more trouble.” With Fisker laying off most of its workforce and winding down operations, it’s unlikely that many of these issues will be addressed.

The Software Struggles

Part of the reason Fisker vehicles are difficult to fix is that repairing the software-heavy cars often requires access to a proprietary software tool developed by Fisker, known as FAST. Neil Miller, COO of American Lease, the rental company that has purchased the remaining Fisker Oceans, confirmed that the company was in discussions with the Fisker Owners Association about potentially collaborating on issues including parts and software.

A Call to Action

As the EV industry continues to grow and mature, it’s essential that companies prioritize customer support and software accessibility. For Fisker owners, it’s a harsh reality check that has left them with slowly falling-apart vehicles and a lingering sense of abandonment. As one owner said, “I have a car loan for five years for $70,000, so I am paying for a brand new vehicle that I cannot drive.”

Conclusion

The rise and fall of Fisker is a cautionary tale of the importance of customer support and software accessibility in the EV industry. As the industry continues to grow and mature, it’s essential that companies prioritize these issues to avoid leaving their customers in the lurch.