Fisker Karma gets cast alongside Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford acts alongside the Fisker Karma in its screen debut, 'Paranoia." Image: jurvetson.Flickr/CC BY
The Fisker Karma has gotten its first movie role, making a cameo appearance alongside Harrison Ford in the upcoming corporate thriller, “Paranoia.” It is a status symbol in the film, indicating that a character has finally “made it.” Only in Hollywood.
Hollywood and the Fisker Karma
The Fisker Karma is an extended-range, luxury electric car that is built in Finland and requires a $102,000 bank car loan just for the base model. It already has connections in Hollywood, where clean technology is coveted. There is a Karma in the fleets of such celebrities as Cee Lo Green, Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprio. Only in Tinsel Town would it be considered a symbol of the American Dream.
Film character seduced by Karma
In the upcoming motion picture “Paranoia,” Harrison Ford, playing Jock Goddard, gives the Karma to an up-and-comer, Adam Casidy, played by Liam Hemsworth. It is part of a “seduction” designed to make Casidy feel like he’s now “made it.”
Ford told USA Today:
“The character Liam plays has the fault of ambition, unbridled ambition. So he is prey to some of the possible rewards that might come his way too easily. The car is part of the process.”
Hemsworth said his character is primed to jump at the gift:
“It goes super quick and doesn’t really make any sound. It’s all about what my character is aiming for. He’s a smart guy and he’s always wanted to live the high life.”
Ford is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Conservation International, so his interest in spinning the “green” Karma as a symbol of status may may be more than just professional.
“Paranoia” also stars Gary Oldman and Amber heard. It is scheduled for national release later this month.
In any other time, and in any other place, the gift would have been a Cadillac or a Porsche.
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Fisker needs good karma
Fisker is probably hoping the “super-sized” product placement will help its struggling sales. It certainly could use all the help it can get, considering the recent blows to its ego.
The automaker recalled 2,400 Karmas in August over a faulty cooling fan. It has also suffered a lemon law buyback and high-profile issues with its federal loan money. That money was frozen when the automaker failed to meet certain production milestones.
Last month, Consumer Reports trashed it as the worst luxury sedan now available on the market. The car was the first ever to break down during testing by the private consumer watchdog.
Fisker was also trashed in the first presidential debate when when Mitt Romney dubbed it one of the “losers” that the White House has invested in under President Obama’s watch.
Earlier this week, it was announced that A123 Systems, the maker of the battery packs used in the Karma, had filed for bankruptcy. It is unknown how that will affect its future production.