The Karma Revero, formerly known as the Fisker Karma, has ceased production after a tumultuous 14-year run. Its story is one of bold design, financial ruin, a natural disaster, and a final, quiet fade into irrelevance. While it ultimately failed, the Revero’s brief existence marked an important shift in automotive perception—it was the first luxury hybrid that many people actually wanted to be seen in.
The Rise of a Design-Led Dream
The Revero’s origins lie with Henrik Fisker, a designer responsible for iconic cars like the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin DB9. In 2007, Fisker founded Fisker Automotive with the intention of breaking into the luxury hybrid market. The original Karma, launched in 2010, was striking: a long, sleek profile combined with a high-tech interior featuring reclaimed wood and faux leather.
Beyond aesthetics, the car boasted a 52-mile-per-gallon efficiency rating and even included roof-mounted solar panels—a novelty at the time. For a moment, it worked. Celebrities from Angelina Jolie to Justin Bieber were photographed driving the Karma, elevating its status from eco-conscious commuter to status symbol. It was a pivot point: hybrids suddenly weren’t just for Prius drivers anymore.
The Fall: Fires, Bankruptcy, and a Hurricane
The initial excitement quickly turned sour. Within a year of launch, the Karma faced recalls over battery fires, crippling investor confidence. Fisker Automotive declared bankruptcy in 2012, leaving unsold inventory rotting in a New Jersey lot. Fate then intervened in the form of Hurricane Sandy, which obliterated the remaining stock.
This could have been the end. Instead, in 2014, Chinese investors acquired the rights to the Karma, resurrecting it as the Karma Revero under a new banner: Karma Automotive. The updated model launched in 2017, but even with a revised powertrain and later a 580-horsepower plug-in hybrid variant (the Revero GS-1), the car struggled to compete.
A Slow Fade into Obsolescence
The Revero spent its final years in a market dominated by Tesla, BYD, and other modern EV brands. Dealers couldn’t move units, quality control remained an issue, and consumer interest simply evaporated. Even Fisker himself launched a new venture (which also failed), further underscoring the brand’s irrelevance.
The Revero ultimately died a quiet death. Outpaced by more innovative vehicles, it failed to capture the attention of a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. It was a relic of an earlier era, outmatched and forgotten.
The Karma Revero served as a cautionary tale: even bold design and initial success cannot guarantee longevity in a ruthless industry. Its legacy is not one of triumph, but of ambition, miscalculation, and the brutal reality of market forces.
