Fisker Automotive, a electric car company who sells the Karma model has laid off almost all of its workers due its inability to get adequate financing. A current recipient of a federal loan, is currently on hold due to non-compliance, makes them an at risk company since the tooling and assets were placed as collateral for the loan.
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/lead5-2012-fisker-karma-fd.jpg)
Fisker is negotiating with several Chinese firms for an equity stake.
LA Times has the story.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-fisker-layoffs-20130405,0,7184892.story?page=2 (http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-fisker-layoffs-20130405,0,7184892.story?page=2)
Fisker was unfortunate during Superstorm Sandy as well as salt water from the storm surge caused several battery fires and torched 16 of the $100k plus cars.
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcqeitudgy1qb8s23.jpg)
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcqej4Dn3G1qb8s23.jpg)
With their battery supplier (A123) bankrupt as well and sold to another Chinese firm (now B456 Corp), this company has had DeLorean levels of bad luck.
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/Transporte%20Bus%20Truck%20HIGHWAY/AUTO-Avanti_zps9f3fc9a2.jpg)
Fisker, Packard and Avanti... I want an Avanti, someone PLEASE bring back this classic car. Designed in 1961-62 by Raymond Loewy's team of Tom Kellogg, Bob Andrews and John Ebstein on a 40-day crash program, the Avanti featured a radical fiberglass body design mounted on a modified Studebaker Lark Daytona 109-inch convertible chassis with a modified 289 Hawk engine.
Avanti Motors is also shuttered and nobody knows if/when they'll start production again.