[Evan1]

So the rear window rolls down/retracts into the rear gate, which in turn rolls down/retracts into a slot behind the bumper. Not to be argumentative, but this seems to go against the claim that they are reducing parts to make the EV simpler, no? A rear-hinged hatch seems pretty simple. It seems they are replacing the two hinges with two electric motors. I suspect the hinges would outlast the two motors. Would snow/freezing rain on the window prevent the hatch from being opened? I know it can glue my side windows.

"General Motors full-size wagons from 1971 to 1976 had a unique tailgate configuration, though. Informally known as “Clamshell Wagons,” they were equipped with what GM called “Glide-Away Tailgates.” Instead of rolling down into the tailgate, or flipping up like a hatch, the rear window glass on these wagons slid up into the roof via a switch mounted next to the tailgate opening. The tailgate itself slid down under the wagon’s load floor, either manually, or power-operated by the same switch that rolled up the window."

The Tucker was also ahead of time with windshield wipers (for its time), pop-out windshields to avoid shatter, moving headlamps, etc.

 

[Andre YUL]

I have early reservations on both the Equinox EV and Fisker PEAR. My wife and I will both eventually have EVs. We may buy both, only one or neither.

Of course Fisker is more of a risk than GM. If Fisker's 2nd company starts to fail, they won't be bailed out like GM was. I'd have to really like a Fisker to offset the higher risk of owning a car from a company that may cease to exist in a few years. Before I order the PEAR, the Fisker Ocean will have been on the road for at least a year and we may have more clarity about Fisker's viability.

As for how they compare, the expected exterior length of the PEAR is about 177", which should be 13" inches shorter than the Equinox EV. While bigger than a European city-car, by US standards the PEAR will be considered a sub-compact. Depending on design, it might feel as roomy as the Equinox and it will be easier to park in a city.

IMO, the Big 3 North American automakers favour designs with large exterior dimensions and inefficient interior space. When I compared a Kia Rondo to a Dodge Journey a few years back, the Rondo felt like a TARDIS when compared to the bigger Journey. Maybe when we can actually sit in the cars, the PEAR will feel as roomy as the Equinox. We'll see...

Visibility and seating comfort also matter. My wife can't stand the seating position of my CT200h, but I'm very happy with it.

 

[EVolution]

IMO, the Big 3 North American automakers favour designs with large exterior dimensions and inefficient interior space.

Nail on the head with this. Its more about the larger more aggressive aesthetic much of the time. The blazer EV takes the icing on the cake in this category however. 192" long and they couldn't fit a frunk (despite a long nose), a rear subtrunk and still have only mediocre storage. Not to mention people over 6' have had trouble sitting in the rear seat of the prototype. I look at that vehicle and I ask myself, where did all the space go?

 

[Andre YUL]

Not to mention people over 6' have had trouble sitting in the rear seat of the prototype.

I'm 6'1". Getting in and out of the back seat of a Mach-E is too much effort for me 😉

 

[Evan1]

Both Equinox and PEAR have been advertised as $30,000 rivals. Both have very nice designs and should be available to the public at the same time. Both will also qualify for IRA. GM has the advantage of service and showroom and the battery but Fisker is partnered with Magna Steyr which builds for OEMs like BMW and Mercedes. They will also build a plant in the US.
Fisker also is partnered with Foxconn and will operate in the US at Lordstown. Having said that I believe Fisker will survive. The larger Ocean is already said to be a winner.

 

[Andre YUL]

Both Equinox and PEAR have been advertised as $30,000 rivals. Both have very nice designs and should be available to the public at the same time. Both will also qualify for IRA.

I'm in Canada, so subsidies are the same for both. Not so sure in the US. Assembly of both vehicles will be in North America. Battery assembly and materials may be more of a challenge. GM will, for the US market, assemble their batteries in the US and they have more control of their supply chain for materials. Fisker won't likely be assembling their batteries and may have more trouble satisfying the 2nd half of the IRA requirements.

 

[Evan1]

I'm in Canada, so subsidies are the same for both. Not so sure in the US. Assembly of both vehicles will be in North America. Battery assembly and materials may be more of a challenge. GM will, for the US market, assemble their batteries in the US and they have more control of their supply chain for materials. Fisker won't likely be assembling their batteries and may have more trouble satisfying the 2nd half of the IRA requirements.

You raise a good point. I will have to look at the Fiskerati form.

 

[Andre YUL]

You raise a good point. I will have to look at the Fiskerati form.

I believe the Ocean batteries come from CATL.

To keep the price low, I expect the base version of the PEAR would have an LFP battery. I may be wrong and this will change in the future, but I believe all large scale LFP production is currently in China.

 

[Evan1]

I believe the Ocean batteries come from CATL.

To keep the price low, I expect the base version of the PEAR would have an LFP battery. I may be wrong and this will change in the future, but I believe all large scale LFP production is currently in China.

The other issue that comes to mind is if I should wait for solid states to arrive... If Henrik is to bring Ocean operations to the States (his plan) batteries will have to be built here. I am also unclear if Foxconn will open a plant in the US to make batteries. They're an Electonics maker.

 

[Steverino]

I am also unclear if Foxconn will open a plant in the US to make batteries

They have the billion dollar Wisconsin boondoggle and they own a chunk of Lordstown Motors, so it seems they have land, Evan.

 

[Evan1]

They have the billion-dollar Wisconsin boondoggle and they own a chunk of Lordstown Motors, so it seems they have land, Evan.

There are several companies working out of Lordstown and plenty of people that will be on the job. I wonder if the UAW will make their way over there, lol.

 

[Steverino]

I wonder if the UAW will make their way over there

Where there are workers...

 

[Andre YUL]

Fisker has, IMO wisely, chosen to outsource manufacturing (Magna for the Ocean - Foxconn for the PEAR). Opening their own battery manufacturing would require billions they don't have. The better option would be to find an existing battery manufacturer in North America and either form a partnership or buy batteries from them. I'm sure they're looking for a partner/supplier. Since Foxconn intends to be a contract manufacturer for several EV brands, maybe they'll consider getting into battery manufacturing.

 

[Evan1]

Fisker has, IMO wisely, chosen to outsource manufacturing (Magna for the Ocean - Foxconn for the PEAR). Opening their own battery manufacturing would require billions they don't have. The better option would be to find an existing battery manufacturer in North America and either form a partnership or buy batteries from them. I'm sure they're looking for a partner/supplier. Since Foxconn intends to be a contract manufacturer for several EV brands, maybe they'll consider getting into battery manufacturing.

I agree with you 100%. I think of an EV as a laptop on wheels. Foxconn makes Apple laptops, there you go!

 

[Andre YUL]

News about PEAR batteries. They may indeed be built in the US by Foxconn.

Report: Foxconn to Build EV Batteries in Lordstown, Wisconsin

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn plans to build new electric-vehicle batteries at its manufacturing plant here and in Wisconsin, according to a report from the news outlet Nikkea Aisa. According to the report, Foxconn said it plans to…

businessjournaldaily.com

 

[Evan1]

News about PEAR batteries. They may indeed be built in the US by Foxconn.

Report: Foxconn to Build EV Batteries in Lordstown, Wisconsin

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn plans to build new electric-vehicle batteries at its manufacturing plant here and in Wisconsin, according to a report from the news outlet Nikkea Aisa. According to the report, Foxconn said it plans to…

businessjournaldaily.com

Yeah, that is good news. And also the Ocean model will benefit from this as Magna Steyr which currently operates in Austria, will build a plant in the US too. As far as the Lordtown facility, the only negative is that Lordtown Motors is at risk of going under. However, they will still benefit as several companies operate at their facilities.

I give a lot of credit to Henrik Fisker's wife Geeta whose the brains behind their operations.
Just take a look at her credentials. Here

Geeta Gupta-Fisker

$1.6B
2021 Billionaires Net Worth
as of 4/6/21
PHOTO BY ETHAN PINES/THE FORBES COLLECTION

About Geeta Gupta-Fisker

• Geeta Gupta-Fisker and her spouse Henrik Fisker founded the electric vehicle startup Fisker Inc. in 2016; it listed on the NYSE via a SPAC merger in 2020.
• Gupta-Fisker, who has a PhD in biotechnology, owns about 20% of the company, where she serves as the chief financial officer.
• She worked in international finance for Lloyds Banking Group and managed investments for a high-net-worth client for several years
• Its SUV is slated to begin production in late 2023 and will be built in the U.S. by Taiwan-based manufacturer Foxconn.
• She has been married to auto designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker since 2012; his previous EV firm filed for bankruptcy in 2014.

Forbes Lists
#1931
Billionaires (2021) Dropped off in 2022
Personal Stats
Age: 48
Source of Wealth: electric cars, Self Made
Residence: Los Angeles, California
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Marital Status: Married
EducationPh.D, Cambridge University; Bachelor of Arts/Science, Delhi University; Master of Science, University of Kent