Karma Automotive to Jump on the Electric Truck Bandwagon

Karma Automotive seems to be on the right track since Chinese auto group Wanxiang rescued the brand from the ashes of Fisker.

Sure, the lineup only has one model, the Revero (offered in base, GT and GTS trim). This plug-in hybrid four-seat sports car produces a combined output of 403 horsepower and 981 pound-feet of torque while delivering an electric range of up to 60 kilometres.

• Also: Pricing Announced for the 2020 Karma Revero GT
• Also: Karma Teases Pininfarina-Designed Concept Car

Also, as a high-end luxury company, Karma’s retail network includes just three dealers in all of Canada (Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal). Sales across the continent barely topped 1,000 units last year.

However, the next few years will see an expansion of both the portfolio and operations, starting with the Karma GT coupe designed in collaboration with iconic Italian design and engineering house Pininfarina. Electric concepts have also been announced.

The big news from Karma today is the planned launch of an SUV and pickup built on a shared platform. The latter will debut as a concept later in 2020, according to Bloomberg, and should look like the teaser image posted above.

Although no confirmation has been made yet, it appears a plug-in hybrid powertrain will come first, followed by a fully electric variant.

In both cases, we’re talking about premium models that will be considerably more expensive than the upcoming Rivian R1T/R1S and Tesla Cybertruck, not to mention the Ford F-150 Hybrid and F-150 Electric and GM’s electric pickup. Other smaller players including Bollinger, Neuron and Lordstown will also be part of the game.

Just how many customers will be interested is an entirely different story. SUVs and pickups have never been so popular, but demand for electrified options in this market segment is still hypothetical.