A rare example of one of the world’s first luxury, high-performance hybrid vehicles, the Fisker Karma, will soon have a permanent home at Western Reserve Historical Society’s (WRHS) Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum at the Cleveland History Center in University Circle in Cleveland.
The Bernie Moreno Companies is donating the extraordinarily rare car – one of fewer than 2,000 remaining worldwide – to WRHS’s renowned collection just in time for it to be displayed at the 2nd Annual Cars in Cleveland celebration on Public Square on September 2, 2018.
The 2012 Fisker Karma, manufactured in Finland, features a jaw-dropping design, solar panels on its roof, a top speed of 125 mph, an amazing 52 miles per gallon fuel efficiency in electric mode and a 2012 sticker price of $107,000.
“The Fisker Karma wasn’t a commercial success,” says Bernie Moreno, “but the vehicle proved that electric cars didn’t have to be slow, didn’t have to be skimp on luxury and didn’t have to look like a spaceship.
“This car is too beautiful for us not to share with the community.”
Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of Western Reserve Historical Society, says the vehicle will be an important addition to the collection, which now boasts 171 automobiles, along with scores of aircraft, motorcycles, carriages and other vehicles.
“Between 1898 and 1931, Cleveland was home to about 115 different automobile manufacturers,” says Falcone-Hall. “We truly were the nation’s first motor city.
“We actually have electric cars from 100 years ago,” she adds. “This vehicle allows us to carry the timeline of the evolution of alternative-fuel vehicles up to the present. It also happens to be a stunning, gorgeous car.”
The gift being from one of Cleveland’s modern community and civic leaders also gives it historical significance, Falcone-Hall says.
“A hundred years ago, WRHS would have jumped at the opportunity to collect a vehicle from a civic and business leader like John D. Rockefeller. Today, Bernie Moreno is an agent for change. His business, civic and philanthropic activities are helping transform our city and region. WRHS’s mission is to capture this history as it happens.
The public will get a chance to view the 2012 Fisker Karma over Labor Day weekend at Bernie Moreno Companies’ Cars in Cleveland celebration, a free event on Public Square on Sunday, September 2, 2018.
After that, the vehicle will be initially displayed in a featured space on the main floor of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Musuem, according to Falcone-Hall.