Back in July 2024, a leasing company bought 3,300 Fisker Oceans. The brand has since gone bankrupt, and now the cars are on the road with homemade parts.
In New York, a repair shop is working to keep 3,300 Fisker Ocean cars on the road.
The Bronx-based repair shop has an extensive inventory of spare parts from broken-down electric cars, but it has also begun producing some components itself to ensure the cars can continue to run.
After Fisker Inc. filed for bankruptcy in June 2024, car rental company American Lease purchased the Fisker Oceans the brand had in stock in North America. These cars are now used as taxis for services like Uber and Lyft.
Operating as a taxi in New York causes significant wear and tear on the vehicles, and since Fisker has gone bankrupt, there is no so-called factory/OEM support available.
That's why American Lease has entered into an agreement with the repair shop BHP. Of the over 3,000 cars that American Lease purchased, not all were in working condition.
And some were sent directly to BHP to be cut up into spare parts. The parts will be used by the workshop to repair the cars that American Lease sees an opportunity to keep running.
– I feel lucky to be the one working with American Lease, says the workshop's owner Roni to Insideevs .
In addition to using spare parts from scrapped cars, BHP has also purchased spare parts directly from Fisker's bankruptcy estate. It has also been necessary to build new parts themselves.
Although the Fisker Ocean has been the subject of several technical problems and much criticism, Roni states that none of the cars that American Lease has in operation have yet experienced major breakdowns.
– At least there haven't been any accidents yet, Roni tells Insideevs.
Roni emphasizes that the workshop is prepared to handle an increased need for spare parts. The workshop owner can also say that he has already received a number of inquiries from private Ocean owners, but that he would rather prioritize the American Lease cars.
– I have received requests for parts from private owners, but I have had to say no to them, explains Roni.
When American Lease purchased the cars from Fisker Inc., management said it would work with the Fisker Owners Association (FOA) on parts.
Even then, it was ruled out that the leasing company would talk to the owners individually. All communication goes one way – namely through FOA.
– We strongly recommend that everyone who owns a Fisker Ocean contact FOA and join the organization. It will be the best way to keep your car on the road, it said at the time.