Paying a lot for a car doesn't guarantee quality...

2011G6E · 19-12-2012, 09:35 AM

Linked to the discussion on the COTY thread where people were saying that the hundred grand plus BMW 10 M5 is a "better" car than the Toyota 86, here's an example that paying a premium for a prestige performance car doesn't necessarily guarantee quality...

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...ampaign=incite

Quote:

Well, that was quick.

On Saturday, just eight days after a fire badly damaged a 2012 Fisker Karma, the company has completed its forensic investigation, announced the cause, and started a recall for the part in question.

Fisker concluded that the fire was caused by an internal fault in a sealed low-temperature cooling fan, located forward of the left-front wheel.

That component, the company says, failed, overheated, and started a slow fire that spread to other components in the range-extended electric luxury sedan.

Fisker will replace the cooling fan in all Karmas sold to date, and add a fuse for extra protection.

...cont'd...

They didn't even think to put a fuse in the cooling fan circuit...?

mike_nofx · 19-12-2012, 09:47 AM

Thats Karma for ya.

poppa smurf · 19-12-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Thats Karma for ya.

Hah! Hah! ......very clever!

mik · 19-12-2012, 10:07 AM

i reckon that is probably a true statement, the more electrical crap and hi tech gadgets , the more to go wrong.

Kryton · 19-12-2012, 10:32 AM

So no other cheap car has ever caught fire or had a fault before?

Streets · 19-12-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Unusually, the Fisker press release included a statement by Rudy Burger, the owner of the Karma in Woodside:

“I have been incredibly impressed with the way Fisker has handled this incident.

"I have personally started seven technology companies and know from direct experience that the U.S. needs more innovative companies of this type, especially in the automobile sector.

“Fisker is a great company and one that I am personally planning to invest in. I look forward to getting behind the wheel of my next Fisker.”

They seem to be handling it well.

Bossxr8 · 19-12-2012, 08:55 PM

Fisker isn't exactly a major manufacturer though is it, and not a very experienced one either, especially not to the level of BMW etc.

Franco Cozzo · 19-12-2012, 09:33 PM

Anything that is mass produced has problems, I've been involved with turning Mercedes Sprinters into ambulances, I'm working on number 109 at the moment and I've seen all sorts of stuff, damaged roof linings, missing trims, clips missing out of tail lights, badge in a different spot on the bonnet, missing firewall gromets etc.

Nikked · 19-12-2012, 09:50 PM

"Manufacturer who builds electric cars forgets to install fuse"

Buntz · 20-12-2012, 02:12 AM

I thought this was going to be about the lastest V8 TT as found in the M5 and M6, shipping with a oil pump defect that could fail and destroy the engine.

That would be better than this low volume boutique manufacturer.

zilo · 20-12-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Linked to the discussion on the COTY thread where people were saying that the hundred grand plus BMW 10 M5 is a "better" car than the Toyota 86, here's an example that paying a premium for a prestige performance car doesn't necessarily guarantee quality...

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...ampaign=incite

They didn't even think to put a fuse in the cooling fan circuit...?

Plenty of peripheral devices without fuses..or share a common buss fuse.
A fire can start with very little electrical current particularly under a bonnet with extremes of temperature.

I read that article to suggest the fan was the culprit.

BadMax · 20-12-2012, 08:17 AM

Must be a slow news day...

AndyXR6T · 20-12-2012, 10:42 AM

Problems with every car manufacturer in the world. Only 6 months ago Rolls Royce were recalling their cars. Some Ferraris and Porsches have had recalls with rear tyre wells catching on fire if you drive with too much "spirit".

Doesn't matte how much you pay there will always be risk

Djrystofer · 20-12-2012, 10:58 AM

Aren't Fisker a cheap Chinese car manufacturer?

BadMax · 20-12-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djrystofer

Aren't Fisker a cheap Chinese car manufacturer?

What's the difference between a 'cheap chinese' builder or a 'cheap Thai' builder?

Cheap is cheap in any language.

Buntz · 20-12-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djrystofer

Aren't Fisker a cheap Chinese car manufacturer?

No it is not.