Fisker, the struggling electric vehicle manufacturer, has taken drastic measures to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market by slashing prices on its flagship Ocean SUV.
The most significant reduction affects the top-of-the-line Ocean Extreme, which now carries a price tag of $37,499, representing a staggering 40% decrease from its previous cost.
This strategic move positions the once-premium vehicle nearly $6,700 below the current average price of a new car.
The company’s decision to offer substantial discounts across its entire Ocean lineup comes amidst financial turmoil, with Fisker recently halting production, alerting shareholders of a potential bankruptcy filing, and facing the risk of being delisted from the stock exchange.
š„BREAKING: Fisker slashes vehicle prices in the U.S. by 39% as it is likely entering bankruptcy proceedings soon.
This is a fire sale!If youāre now thinking about picking up a āpremium looking SUV on the cheapā, think again: you may get stranded with anā¦ pic.twitter.com/qUmtZWTDBg
— AJ (@alojoh) March 28, 2024
The entry-level Ocean now starts at just $24,999, a rare find in today’s automotive market.
While price cuts have become a common occurrence in the EV sector, largely due to Tesla’s aggressive pricing strategy, Fisker’s steep discounts underscore the severity of its current predicament.
RELATED: EV Startup Quickly Heading Towards Bankruptcy, Misses Payment on Loan
As Henrik Fisker, the company’s founder and CEO, explained to Bloomberg, the revised pricing aims to position the Ocean as “a more affordable and compelling EV choice” for consumers.
However, the drastic price reductions could have unintended consequences for Fisker’s brand image and customer loyalty.
Existing owners who purchased their vehicles at premium prices may now see their investments rapidly depreciate, potentially losing up to half of their value overnight.
Fiskerās problems apparently go way beyond lack of enthusiasm for EVsā¦
āFisker lost track of millions of dollars in customer payments for months.ā https://t.co/DNDiQwSjCe
— David Asman (@DavidAsmanfox) March 28, 2024
This could lead to disgruntled customers and damage the company’s reputation in the long run.
Fisker’s struggles highlight a more significant issue within the EV market: despite the growing push from governments and environmentalists to promote electric vehicles, consumer demand has not kept pace.
Many potential buyers remain hesitant to embrace EVs due to concerns over range, charging infrastructure, and the higher upfront costs compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars.
READ NEXT: Bloomberg Forced to Admit Trump is Now One of Top 500 Wealthiest People in the World
Fisker’s current predicament serves as a cautionary tale for other EV startups navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing market, where consumer preferences and economic realities often clash with the idealistic vision of an all-electric future.