Henrik Fisker is ready to try his hand at a new automotive company targeting millennials

By Miles Branman August 23, 2015

henrik fisker plans new company news rumors galpin rocket vert — Henrik Fisker in front of the Fisker-Galpin Rocket

Henrik Fisker, the designer behind some of Aston Martin’s most beautiful models, like the DB9 and V8 Vantage, as well as BMW’s Z07 Concept and Z8 Roadster, is ready for his next automotive enterprise.

After Fisker Automotive, which manufactured the Karma electric vehicle, filed for bankruptcy, Henrik Fisker moved on to design projects like the Galpin-Fisker Rocket, a 725 horsepower custom Mustang. The convertible (Speedster) version debuted at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, where Henrik Fisker revealed that he’s ready for a new automotive business venture.

The specifics of his next enterprise are vague, but the Danish designer spoke of his interest in millennials and their desire for alternative forms of transportation and all things digital.

“There’s a whole new group of young people ready for the next thing,” Fisker said, specifically pointing out connected cars as an area of opportunity.

Galpin Rocket vert rear angle

Fisker Automotive crumbled in 2012 when it could no longer source batteries for the Karma, even as Tesla began hitting its stride with the Model S. A Chinese company recently bought the bankrupt automaker’s assets and plans to reintroduce the Karma next year in California.

Before Henrik Fisker jumps into a new automotive foray, he’ll see out his partnership with Galpin Motors, a large Ford dealer in Los Angeles, on their Rocket coupe and convertible. Prices for the Rocket have been set at around $125,000. In addition to the additional supercharged power, the Rocket has unique bodywork and carbon fiber construction.

Should Fisker pursue a high-tech automotive business, he’ll likely partner with a leader in the technology space as many automakers have done for proprietary infotainment and safety systems.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

Cars

You’ll soon be able to watch YouTube videos in your Android Automotive car

Android Auto in a car.

Google is making a bigger play for the in-car infotainment system. At Google I/O 2023, the company took the wraps off of a series of improvements to both Android Auto and Android Automotive, allowing those who want Google-based services in their car to get more features and better account integration.

As a reminder, the two systems may have a similar (almost identical?) name, but are actually quite different. Android Auto essentially just projects content from your phone, whether through a wireless or wired connection. It's Google's answer to Apple's CarPlay, and doesn't work without your phone. Android Automotive, however, is a version of Android that runs in the car itself, as the car's main infotainment system. It works whether you have a connected phone or not. Collectively, Google refers to the systems as Android for Cars -- yes, yet another name.

Cars

Are EVs safe? From battery fires to autopilot, here are the facts

Lucid Air electric car

While many people will be primarily concerned with EV range before buying their first electric vehicle, others are a little nervous about having a giant lithium-ion battery strapped to their car's undercarriage. Those things can catch fire -- just ask Chevy Bolt owners. But how much of a real danger is that? And should it prevent you from buying an EV?
What safety features do EV batteries have?
The major safety issue with lithium-ion batteries is their temperature. If they get too hot, they're prone to igniting. If they get too cold, they freeze and permanently stop working. Charge and discharge rates need to be carefully regulated too, or you'll get electrical fires. Over time, small imperfections in a battery's structure can lead to short circuits and reduced lifetime.

EVs have what are called battery management systems (BMS) to keep tabs on all of these variables. The BMS will generate warnings when needed and intervene directly by cutting off power if things get out of hand. EV battery packs also have thermal management systems. Typically, this is a closed loop of liquid coolant flowing alongside the battery cells, but air cooling and welding battery cells directly to the car chassis are also means of mitigating extreme heat.
How well do EVs handle a crash?
Since there's no engine at the front of an EV, the hood typically houses a frunk -- meaning a front trunk. This acts as a large crumple zone in the case of a head-on accident. One crash in Germany avoided casualties thanks to this inherent characteristic of electric vehicles. Crash tests bear this out. Popular EVs like the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Nissan Leaf have all received overall five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Cars

The locations of over 2 million Toyota cars were exposed for 10 years

Ever get the sense that you're being tracked? Well, if you're a Toyota driver, you may have been. Toyota has disclosed in a statement that the locations of 2,150,000 of its customers were at risk of breach between November 6, 20i3, and April 17, 2023.

Information that was at risk specifically included the vehicle GPS and navigation terminal ID number, the chassis number, and the location of the vehicle with time data. This information is related to Toyota's cloud-based Connected service, which is used to remind owners to get maintenance done, stream entertainment in the car, and help find owners during emergency situations. Users who used services like Toyota Connected, G-Link, and G-Book were potentially affected.