Fisker Finds A New Home, Promptly Announces Bankruptcy

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

November 25, 2013

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Friday that it had found a buyer for dormant automaker, Fisker. The buyer is Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC, a company founded by Richard Li, one of the people who was interested in buying Fisker. So how much did Hybrid Tech pay for the assets of Fisker? Reports say around $25 million, which means the DOE lost around $139 million in its investment into Fisker.

To keep the transfer process smooth and make sure Fisker's creditors and suppliers get paid, the company has filled for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in a California court.

"After having evaluated and pursued all other alternatives, we believe the sale to Hybrid and the related Chapter 11 process is the best alternative for maximizing Fisker Automotive's value for the benefit of all stakeholders. We believe that the Fisker Automotive technology and product development capability will remain a guiding force in the evolution of the automotive industry under Hybrid's leadership," said Marc Beilinson, Fisker Automotive's Chief Restructuring Officer in a statement.

What does Hybrid Tech have in mind for Fisker? The company plans to restart production and sales of the Karma sedan, and work on developing new vehicles.

"As we continue to examine Fisker's opportunities, we will be making decisions about the structure and footprint of the new business," said Caroline Langdale, a spokeswoman for Hybrid Technology.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), Fisker

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

Fisker Automotive Announces Agreement for Asset Sale to Hybrid Tech Holdings

ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif., Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisker Automotive, Inc. and Fisker Automotive Holdings, Inc. (collectively, Fisker Automotive) announced today that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement with Hybrid Tech Holdings, LLC (Hybrid) for the sale of substantially all of its assets.

Hybrid is the lender under an approximately $170 million loan secured by first liens on substantially all of Fisker Automotive's assets. Hybrid's parent, Hybrid Technology, LLC (Hybrid Technology), purchased the loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) after DoE conducted a robust marketing process and auction.

To facilitate the sale process and provide for orderly distributions to creditors, Fisker Automotive has voluntarily filed petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Hybrid Technology has committed up to approximately $8 million in debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to fund the sale and Chapter 11 process.

"After having evaluated and pursued all other alternatives, we believe the sale to Hybrid and the related Chapter 11 process is the best alternative for maximizing Fisker Automotive's value for the benefit of all stakeholders," said Marc Beilinson, Fisker Automotive's Chief Restructuring Officer. "We believe that the Fisker Automotive technology and product development capability will remain a guiding force in the evolution of the automotive industry under Hybrid's leadership."