Fisker has unveiled
the all-new Orbit. Created as part of an alliance with China's Hakim Unique
Group, the Orbit has been designed to become the "world’s most appealing
autonomous shuttle for smart cities."
The companies were coy on specifics but confirmed
the Orbit is a fully autonomous electric vehicle and the first deliveries are
slated to occur by the end of 2018. As part of the agreement between the two
companies, Fisker Inc. will be responsible for designing and developing the
vehicle while the Hakim Unique Group will handle its marketing and operations
in Asia.
In a statement, Henrik Fisker said "The
combination of our breakthrough automotive technology, design prowess and
unique vantage point as industry revolutionaries – and Jack’s [Hakim Unique
Group chairman Jack Wong] truly integrated vision of smart cities – is
powerful. I am very excited about making the impossible, possible with
intelligent urban ecosystems – starting with the development of one of the
world’s most forward-thinking and uniquely designed electric, autonomous
shuttles: The Fisker Orbit.”
Autocar reports the Orbit will be launched in
Hangzhou, China and will have an interior that reportedly resembles a hotel
lobby. Fisker has already received “interest from various corporate
campuses" so it's possible that the model will expand far beyond China in
the future.
