Fisker caught in media firestorm

PHEV-maker Fisker has come out fighting in the face of claims that a fleet of its Karma sedans “exploded” at the Port of Newark in New Jersey during Superstorm Sandy.

Reports of the damage spread throughout the global media after auto novelty and mischief blog jalopnik.com “exclusively learned” of it. Jalopnik effectively admitted it published the story before checking with Fisker or the Port of Newark, saying its calls had not been returned as of publication time.

Fisker has released a holding statement while it investigates the matter:
“It was reported today that several Fisker Karmas were damaged by fire at the Port of Newark after being submerged in sea water during Superstorm Sandy. We can report that there were no injuries and none of the cars were being charged at the time.

“We have confidence in the Fisker Karma and safety is our primary concern. While we intend to find the cause as quickly as possible, storm damage has restricted access to the port.”

But given a chance to open up a bit, corporate communications director Russell Datz was less equivocal. “On background, there is no way to tell for certain that the cars in fact ‘exploded’ as this is based on a partial, out-of-context, unsubstantiated statement from an uncorroborated witness quoted on a website known for being sensationalist,” he told motoring.com.au.

“The Karmas you see, along with thousands of other cars from other manufacturers, suffered tremendous damage from a storm of epic proportion. We know other brand cars caught fire as well.  It’s important to note that cars – electric or not – have a history of catching fire after being submerged in salt water.”

As evidence, he attached photos of fire-damaged cars in Japanese ports following the 2011 tsunami. “And if you simply Google some relevant key terms you will find it even happens to cars parked on the street.”

In the wake of a number of fire and recall stories during the Karma’s first year on the road, the storm damage incident was bound to make media ears prick up. But for now, even the number of cars damaged – thought to be about 16 – can’t be confirmed, let alone exactly what happened to them.

While it investigates, the company has announced it’s helping out with disaster relief in nearby Delaware. It’s offered up the 40-acre parking lot at its Wilmington factory as a home base for local power utility trucks and repair workers endeavouring to clear up after the storm.

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