Fisker says investor Leonardo DiCaprio to promote plug-in Karma
 | Leonardo DiCaprio "will participate in conversations on the auto manufacturer's future plans for the advancement of sustainable, responsible vehicles," Fisker said. Photo credit: Reuters |
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July 3 (Bloomberg) -- Fisker Automotive Inc., a maker of luxury plug-in hybrid cars, said actor Leonardo DiCaprio is an equity investor in the company and that the actor will promote its Karma sedan as an environmentally friendly vehicle.
DiCaprio has participated in fundraising for the closely held carmaker, said Roger Ormisher, a Fisker spokesman. He declined to say how much the actor invested.
Shawn Sachs, DiCaprio's publicist, wasn't immediately available to comment on his involvement with Fisker.
"As an equity investor in Fisker Automotive, DiCaprio will participate in conversations on the auto manufacturer's future plans for the advancement of sustainable, responsible vehicles," the company said in an e-mailed statement. He'll "work closely with Fisker on marketing and promotional initiatives aimed at bringing attention to sustainability and environmental awareness," Fisker said.
The company, which has raised more than $1 billion in private funds for its plug-in cars, is working to steady its business after a delayed sales start, battery-pack malfunctions and losing access to a portion of $529 million in low-cost federal loans awarded to make cars in Delaware.
The company, co-founded by designer Henrik Fisker, named Tom LaSorda, a former CEO of the predecessor of Chrysler Group LLC, its CEO in February. Fisker has delivered more than 1,000 Karmas, priced from $103,000, in the U.S. and Europe since December. The Karma is able to travel as far as 50 miles (80 kilometers) on lithium-ion batteries before a gasoline engine is activated.
PRESS RELEASE: Fisker Automotive Partners With Leonardo DiCaprio To Promote Global Sustainability
Fisker Automotive and Leonardo DiCaprio today announced that they will work together to promote Global Sustainability, a cause to which both are deeply committed.
As an equity investor in Fisker Automotive, DiCaprio will participate in conversations on the auto manufacturer’s future plans for the advancement of sustainable, responsible vehicles. He will work closely with Fisker on marketing and promotional initiatives aimed at bringing attention to sustainability and environmental awareness. Fisker, in turn, will support the charitable work of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation around the globe.
“My foundation supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants,” says DiCaprio. “I am delighted to be working with Fisker Automotive to promote this shared vision.”
In July 2011, DiCaprio received the first Fisker Karma luxury electric vehicle with range extender (EVer™), off the production line.
“The Karma sedan – Fisker Automotive’s first car - is built according to the company’s sustainable and Accountable Design™ philosophy, which represents a dramatic leap forward for the auto industry,” says Henrik Fisker, Executive Chairman and chief designer, Fisker Automotive.
“Fisker’s approach to responsible luxury goes well beyond minimizing fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. Fisker uses renewable materials and the lowest-impact technologies at every stage of the engineering, production and marketing processes.”
The Fisker Karma sedan is a stylish, eco-conscious vehicle that was designed and engineered in the USA. New features in the Karma include reclaimed and recycled interior wood trim from either California wildfires or the depths of Lake Michigan; animal-free interiors on the top-line Eco Chic model; the world’s largest solar panel roof; and “Diamond Dust” paint that uses flakes of re-cycled glass.
ABOUT THE LEONARDO DICAPRIO FOUNDATION
Established in 1998 by Leonardo and his family, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet and all of its inhabitants. The foundation works on a variety of environmental and humanitarian issues including Wildlife Protection, Forest Preservation, Healthy Oceans, Water Access, Disaster Relief and Climate Change.
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