Fisker Alaska EV Pickup Revealed. R1T Competition?

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

They have a working prototype.

That doesn’t mean much. Most moving prototypes used for show in the car biz only have to be built to move under 5 mph; roll on stage and roll off. Loooooooong ways from working prototype.

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[DaveA]

I went to the site and I was looking at the Ronin and got all excited until I actually clicked on the link, saw there were zero specs and it was 400K. Yikes.

I honestly think it’s a typo…under $200k was the initial talk. ?‍

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I don’t disagree, but I’m preparing myself for a raft of comments like these:

“Rivian’s roll out has been slow, but COVID! Supply chain! They will overcome their production problems! Be patient. Can’t wait for the R2! Also, Fisker will never overcome their production problems.”

I think they’ll eventually get Foxconn (or whomever) to make it, but not for the $45K starting price they’re teasing.

The glaring difference is Fisker is a car designer (a very good one, BMW Z8). Meanwhile RJ has a PhD in automotive manufacturing and is well connected in biz in the engineering and manufacturing side through his father. Through Tesla’s and Rivian’s journeys, it’s clear it takes more than good looking design to make a concept a reality and at scale.

 

[Rodze]

That doesn’t mean much. Most moving prototypes used for show in the car biz only have to be built to move under 5 mph; roll on stage and roll off. Loooooooong ways from working prototype.

The Alaska is based on a stretched out Ocean skateboard. If they were going to use a totally new skateboard for it I would agree with you.

 

[goldburger]

The Ocean is a great looking car. This on the other hand is horrendous.

 

[Whatever_this_is]

No full size SUV with 7 seats, hard pass

 

[NineElectrics]

At first glance, this seems clever:

https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/2023/08/015-2025-Fisker-Alaska.jpg?w=438

The glaring difference is Fisker is a car designer (a very good one, BMW Z8). Meanwhile RJ has a PhD in automotive manufacturing and is well connected in biz in the engineering and manufacturing side through his father. Through Tesla’s and Rivian’s journeys, it’s clear it takes more than good looking design to make a concept a reality and at scale.

I agree it takes more than design. But Fisker has a lot more cumulative experience than RJ now. RJ's doctoral research, if I understand correctly, is in internal combustion engines. Not super relevant. And Rivian dithered around for years not producing anything, whereas Fisker was involved in Tesla and his own companies. He could very well not fail his way to success. I just don't see evidence that RJ is necessarily better, from afar.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The Alaska is based on a stretched out Ocean skateboard. If they were going to use a totally new skateboard for it I would agree with you.

So no frunk whatsoever. Woooooo. /s If it does get one (based on the cutlines I can see), it's not a big one.

At first glance, this seems clever:

https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/2023/08/015-2025-Fisker-Alaska.jpg?w=438

I agree it takes more than design. But Fisker has a lot more cumulative experience than RJ now. RJ's doctoral research, if I understand correctly, is in internal combustion engines. Not super relevant. And Rivian dithered around for years not producing anything, whereas Fisker was involved in Tesla and his own companies. He could very well not fail his way to success. I just don't see evidence that RJ is necessarily better, from afar.

Good things:

• Pillar mounted grab handles. Big miss by Rivian.

Bad things:

• If on Ocean platform, very likely fixed height suspension.
• Pretty much a soft-roader, a lifted Ocean, like the Force concept. Sacrificing on-pavement dynamics for sake of a little more ground clearance and rugged appearance.
• The way the front end is styled, with chin jutting out, while looking good for a show car, is impractical for trails rated 3~5 and above.
• Mid-gate is great for occasional use, but you wouldn't want to drive like that for more than a short trip. Think of wind buffeting.
• Fisker is not short on ideas, that's for sure. But struggling to deliver just one model. Even with a very experienced Magna-Styer handling the production side. Rivian is building and shipping 4 models while developing a 5th.

If this Fisker truck ever makes it to production, it will be more in the space of Hyundai Santa Cruz and Maverick, but with all-electric drive. It might pull some buyers away from the R2, but R2 will likely be more off-pavement capable (given the brand's core value of "adventure"). This and other concepts shown are design exercises. Actual details were not given. Much remains to be seen.

 

[DaveA]

This angle makes the R1 looks like a kids toy comparatively. ?

 

[Ryan1T]

What's with that giant cupholder / water bottle? I mean, I know some people complain there are too few cupholders in the Rivian, but I don't imagine that's the solution they're looking for...

 

[DaveA]

What's with that giant cupholder / water bottle? I mean, I know some people complain there are too few cupholders in the Rivian, but I don't imagine that's the solution they're looking for...

Solution is 5 long straws in the giant cup in the cup holder. Space saving ?

 

[NineElectrics]

What's with that giant cupholder / water bottle? I mean, I know some people complain there are too few cupholders in the Rivian, but I don't imagine that's the solution they're looking for...

How many bladders is that water bottle? Hell, how many stomachs is it? Too many! Unless you want to drink from it for days. In that case I recommend a glass bottle and adding lots of ice cubes every time you get back into your car.

Oh wait, I get it now. It’s for something that’s mostly ice to begin with. Like:

 

[Donald Stanfield]

At first glance, this seems clever:

https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/2023/08/015-2025-Fisker-Alaska.jpg?w=438


I agree it takes more than design. But Fisker has a lot more cumulative experience than RJ now. RJ's doctoral research, if I understand correctly, is in internal combustion engines. Not super relevant. And Rivian dithered around for years not producing anything, whereas Fisker was involved in Tesla and his own companies. He could very well not fail his way to success. I just don't see evidence that RJ is necessarily better, from afar.

Where both respective companies are IS proof RJ is better. Many experts seem to agree that Rivian is on its way to making it. Fisker probably hasn't made 50K vehicles in his manufacturing career and RJ is doing that this year.

 

[DaveA]

Where both respective companies are IS proof RJ is better. Many experts seem to agree that Rivian is on its way to making it. Fisker probably hasn't made 50K vehicles in his manufacturing career and RJ is doing that this year.

As soon as there is competition for the R1 Rivian is in trouble. If Alaska was available today and built my Magna Rivian would be toast.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

As soon as there is competition for the R1 Rivian is in trouble. If Alaska was available today and built my Magna Rivian would be toast.

If Ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a Merry Christmas. The fact of the matter is making EVs is hard. Making good ones is even harder, so hard even legacy auto is struggling to make it work. So until Fisker actually produces anything in any significant volume I don't really factor them into my rankings.

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