Fisker's Asset-Light Approach to Electric Vehicles

The asset-light approach allows Fisker to laser focus on design and customer experience and partner with others for the rest.

Fisker has a unique asset-light business model for a car maker. Following in the footsteps of Apple, it allows them to focus on their core competencies. Fisker’s core competencies are design and customer experience. The company is able to deploy their core capabilities and intellectual property in areas where it can gain a competitive advantage. See the chart below.

This strategy, together with capable partners, allows Fisker to work on multiple electric vehicle projects at the same time. Currently, the company is publicly working on the Fisker Ocean, PEAR, and RŌNIN. Fisker also has several other undisclosed projects in the works.

As noted in the investor presentation, Fisker’s partners allow them to drive scale, stay lean, de-risk, and move fast in areas where differentiation is not important. Fisker gets to focus on what they are good at. They partner with other companies for the rest (their non-core competencies). For instance, Fisker relies on strategic partners for contract manufacturing, lease financing, and public charging among others. All of this is part of the asset-light operating model.

Competency	Laser Focused	Owner(s)
Design	Exterior; Interior; Flexible Platform Adaptive Design (Supports rapid, efficient product development)	Fisker (Internal)
Software	Create / Tune (PWT, E/Arch, Cockpit, ADAS, App)	Fisker (Internal)
User Interface	Revolutionary Design (Intuitive UI on state-of-the-art 17.1″ high-resolution display)	Fisker (Internal)
Connectivity	Full OTA Upgrade Capability (Supports post purchase revenue opportunities)	Fisker + Supply Chain
Powertrain	Advanced battery pack and drive unit; Proprietary BMS	Fisker + Supply Chain
ADAS / AV	State-of-the-art Level 2 (Plus unique convenience features )	Fisker + Supply Chain
Ownership Experience	Fully Digital; Direct-to-consumer	Fisker (Internal)
Retail / Brand Presence	Unique Fisker Brand Experience Centers (Located in major markets)	Fisker (Internal)

Fisker design, intellectual property, and know-how.

Asset-light approach requires less capital

By seeking out partners with developed platforms, Fisker asset-light approach de-risks its business and differentiates it from other car makers.

The asset-light business model doesn’t require tens of billions of dollars like other EV makers, but it still requires substantial funding. This is because they are not heavily vertically-integrated like other car makers.

Fisker can laser focus on innovation around the customer experience of their electric car. They do not need to be a jack of all trades master of none. It allows them to focus exclusively on creating the best software, sustainability, and highly emotional design.

However, the asset-light approach brings its own set of risk of not being vertically integrated. OEM and supply partners may experience supply chain shortages for Fisker vehicle components now or in the future.

“We remain focused on delivering our asset-light strategy and unique business model, progressing with our partners to further the concurrent development of two vehicle platforms and plans for sequential vehicle launches.”
Henrik Fisker, Co-Founder & CEO, Fisker Inc.

The new financial paradigm

Fisker is setup to deliver compelling and affordable electric vehicles with unparalleled customer experience.

The asset light approach coupled with a direct-to-consumer operating model supports recurring revenue, reduced cyclicality, and a rapid path to production and profitability.

The company believes this model will result in a very dependable, attractive free cash flow profile for investors beginning in 2023 and in the long-term.

In 2023, the company will have its first full year of Fisker Ocean deliveries. The company will have the first Fisker PEAR prototype ready in 2023 with production commencing in 2024. By this time, Fisker will have fully de-risked its business. It will have proven the asset-light strategy works for EV makers, like Apple has done with other consumer tech products.