Fisker news - Fisk' out of hot water

So Henrik Fisker didn’t nick Tesla’s technology and incorporate it into his Karma hybrid saloon.

That’s the verdict of the Californian arbitrator brought in to settle the dispute between the two hybrid manufacturers, who this week has ruled in favour of the former Aston and BMW designer.

Back in April, Tesla filed suit against Fisker, alleging that he stole design and trade secrets while under contract to design Tesla’s upcoming four-door hybrid, codenamed ‘Model S’.

But the arbitrator this week ruled that there was ‘overwhelming evidence’ that ‘Fisker did nothing wrong’.

Henrik Fisker is, understandably, cheered by the verdict, and has confirmed that the Karma will go on sale next year.

Things aren’t looking quite so cheery for Tesla, though. Already forced to lay off staff, the Silicon Valley manufacturer has today announced that it will pump an extra $40 million dollars into production of the Roadster and other future models. After its last-minute redesign, however, the Model S won’t be on sale before 2011 – which’ll surely only serve to heighten Tesla’s annoyance at the ruling.

But the battle of the Big Grean Hybrid Car Makers is over – for the moment, at least. Now back to that other little American battle…