Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Fisker Automotive Sued By Tesla Motors

The New York Times is reporting this morning that high flying electric car company Tesla Motors is suing Henrik Fisker, founder of Lake Forest-based Fisker Automotive, an Orange County firm also designing electric cars. According to the report, Tesla claims that Fisker was hired to help do body design work for the Tesla, and then founded his own competing firm. Fisker Automotive is venture backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Palo Alto Investors, and is developing plug-in hybrids for the high-end, sedan market. The lawsuit was reportedly filed in the San Mateo Superior Court. Fisker Automotive said at its launch in January that is developing a plug-in hybrid sports car which the firm says will enable emissions free travel of up to 50 miles a day. Tesla itself is backed by Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Panorama Capital, Valor Equity Partners, VantagePoint Venture Partners, and Elon Musk.

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