Thoughts on My Fisker Ocean (original) (raw)

I've had my Fisker Ocean One for about two weeks now. It was a helluva two-year ride to get the vehicle. It’s really best described as a ride of discovery, as I’ve learned a little more about the car the whole way. In that sense, having it in the driveway is a bit anticlimactic. But, discovery continues both through driving it and software updates.

So far, I am quite pleased with the car. It’s well-constructed and drives very nicely. It has several compelling, unique, and even quirky features. I particularly like the digital rear-view mirror, which, in my opinion, is superior to an actual mirror. The ride is nice, and there are lots of elements that are well thought out.

I purchased a Fisker Ocean One. Fisker is the brand, Ocean is the model, and the One is the limited edition launch trim (5000 total worldwide). Currently, the Ocean is Fisker’s only model, but more are coming.

I don’t feel experienced enough to write a compelling review yet. However, I’ve been getting lots of questions, so I thought instead I would share more about the car and why I opted to buy it sight unseen. I will say there’s been no alarms or regrets. The car is as expected, and that’s saying something considering my high expectations.

There are lots of new owners mainly posting positive reviews. Although I intend to join them, you must assume some “choice-supportive bias” creep from owners. It’s also known as post-purchase rationalization. It’s a real thing and why I often discount customer satisfaction metrics. I can say that the automotive press largely agrees that it’s a great car. It has received numerous accolades and awards. The Ocean fills a gap in the EV market.

Last quarter, the company announced revenue at almost half of what the market expected. This was its first-ever quarter with deliveries and revenue. The shortfall didn’t completely surprise me, I knew deliveries were well behind schedule, but not to warn the market of such a shortfall screams lack of experience.

Fisker accidentally ended up launching in the US and Europe simultaneously. Suddenly, there was a resource shortage as the company had to build and deliver 5000 presold launch vehicles worldwide, showroom models, and inventory. That’s mostly resolved now, but who knows at what cost? By the time I got my vehicle, the website was promoting available inventory at its retail stores - so much for being a pioneer.

The most common question I get is, why did I purchase a car before even seeing the prototype? There are several reasons. At the time, the One was a bargain. They were rewarding early buyers with a loaded, limited-edition vehicle. It was cheaper than a comparably equipped Ocean Extreme (the current high-end trim).

In 2023, Tesla started an EV price war. It broke business models, and many manufacturers delayed or reduced their EV plans. Fisker largely ignored it because it wasn’t really selling cars in 2023 and was probably hoping the price war would end. It didn’t.

A few months ago, Fisker lowered the Ocean Extreme's price, which made the (mostly undelivered) Ocean Ones less attractive. The company responded by offering a number of additional benefits to One buyers. That, plus eligibility for the federal tax rebate (that current buyers don’t receive), reinforced my early buying decision.

I wanted a new car. My Infiniti turned 10 in 2023. I knew I wanted an EV. I bought a Nissan Leaf in 2014. Back then, there weren’t many EV options. Surprisingly, there still are not many options. Despite the limited selection, EV sales grow at about 50% annually. Tesla dominates the EV market, and they are good cars. Had I not purchased the Fisker, I likely would have purchased a Model Y during the price war.

Why not a hybrid? Not a fan. Hybrids can make sense in some situations. Many people consider hybrids a baby step toward an EV, but they aren’t. Hybrids represent the worst characteristics of EVs and petrol cars. The general public hasn’t yet figured out that EVs are nicer to drive, cheaper (to build, maintain, and operate), cleaner, and simpler. Hybrids are not a step toward that future but actually a detour into complexity.

The Fisker Ocean caught my attention early, so I put down a $250 refundable deposit to hold my spot in the Fall of 2021! Then, I started following the car and company closely. Henrik Fisker was leveraging social media to introduce himself, his new company, and the Ocean. Fisker Inc. is his second attempt at an EV company. Fisker Automotive in 2007 was too early (years before Tesla). Its flagship model, the Fisker Karma, is/was gorgeous. Fisker also has design cred from several models at BMW and Ashton Martin. He knows how to design (petrol and EV) cars, and I liked the idea of a car maker CEO who’s a designer.

A nonrefundable deposit was required in July of 2022 to get a limited edition One. By that time, the risk seemed reasonable. SoP or “Start of Production,” was to be about five months later. Sure, there was a risk, but it’s not exactly like big brands are much safer. I still can’t figure out the GM Bolt/Volt story.

The biggest challenge for new car makers is manufacturing, specifically building the machine that builds the machines. Fisker solved that by partnering with Magna Steyr — a contract car manufacturer. It’s a Canadian company but does so much work with Mercedes and BMW that its plant is in Austria. This meant a leading, experienced manufacturer would build the Ocean in a state-of-the-art, green factory.

Henrik compares the model to Apple designing chips that TSMC builds. The decision to build overseas was made long before the Inflation Reduction Act. The law change meant that the Ocean became ineligible for US Tax credits. I got the rebate since mine was ordered before the new law. Fisker plans for its next EV, the PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), to be built in the US by Foxconn.

The partnership with Magna had three critical benefits: First, Fisker Inc. didn’t have to finance or learn manufacturing. Secondly, Magna knows how to build cars and brings industry best practices (and machinery) to the Ocean. Lastly, Magna got an equity stake in Fisker, so the supplier and vendor are better aligned. Our Volvo rattles; our Fisker does not.

Design, check. Manufacturing, check. Now, let’s look under the proverbial hood. Fisker set out to build the most sustainable vehicle, so the Ocean uses lots of recycled and synthetic materials. Our Volvo is filled with wood and leather, and that now feels extravagant.

The Fisker is the first production car to have solar panels on the roof. Gimmick, yes, but glass roofs are popular these days, so why not give them purpose? The car has several other firsts, including digital radar, a 17” touch-screen, and taco trays. It’s an SUV with two motors and 550 HP (plus a trailering package) with category-busting acceleration and range. All six of the side windows, plus the tailgate window and sunroof open. Fisker is an American automaker (Manhattan Beach, Calif) headed by a European designer, and the Ocean is built in Austria.

The more I learned, the more I liked it. I figured if I waited to see/drive the car, I would never get one in 2023. In hindsight, I barely got it in 2023, and new ones are readily available. Ouch!

While the car had design and manufacturing nailed, I (and Henrik) underestimated the software. The Ocean, like many new cars, is a computer on wheels. The Ocean launched with way too many bugs. My Ocean is less buggy but incomplete. Lots of promised features are yet to be delivered. My car arrived with 1.1.0 software. A week later, it received 1.1.1 over-the-air, and the company has outlined its Q1 intent for updates. Lots coming.

Would I pre-order again? I have to say no. The issue is less about the car than timing. I expected this car to arrive 6-9 months earlier. Remember, “Start of Production” was in Nov 2022, and the 5000 presold Ones were to be the first cars built and shipped. One of the attributes Henrik used to tout was that the Ocean had newer tech due to its compressed design approach. He hasn’t mentioned that for the past year or so.

A lot has changed in 2+ years. Some deposit holders are demanding refunds on their nonrefundable deposits based on timing and incomplete features. For me, a second car has changed from necessity to luxury. Globally, we went from quiet quitting to layoffs, from zero interest to high interest, and from a car shortage to surplus. #GoFigure.

Will Fisker survive? I hope so. Realistically, the Ocean won’t be an orphan. An existing brand would acquire Fisker before the company fails. The Ocean is getting plenty of positive attention. It’s approved for sale in NA, Europe, India, and China, and available withi right-hand drive versions. It has three trims that range from 30kto30k to 30kto60k. This startup has accomplished more with one model than most established car brands have done with EVs in general.

More likely, Fisker Inc. will be fine. Now that the backlog of presold cars is clearing, delivery headaches will fade to a dull roar. The company has opened direct-to-consumer retail showrooms around the world.

Beyond the Ocean, there are several announced Fisker models coming. The new PEAR is expected to retail around $30K in 2026, and is aimed at urban drivers. The Alaska truck is an extended/adapted version of the Ocean. There’s also a high-performance sports car coming that is clearly built by a designer.