
The Karma car is made by Karma Automotive, a Southern California-based automotive company. The company's origins are complex: it was founded as Automotive in 2007, went bankrupt in 2013, and its assets were purchased by Chinese auto parts giant Wanxiang Group. Wanxiang revived the company as Karma Automotive in 2015. Therefore, while the brand is American-designed and primarily assembled in the U.S., it is ultimately owned by a Chinese corporation.
The most important thing to understand is that Karma vehicles are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), not pure electric cars. They combine a gasoline engine with electric motors for propulsion. The current flagship model, the Karma Revero (and its variants like the GS-6), is a re-engineered and improved version of the original Fisker Karma.
Karma Automotive focuses on low-volume, high-end luxury vehicles. Their production facility is located in Moreno Valley, California, where they perform final assembly. However, many components are sourced globally. The BMW-derived turbocharged three-cylinder engine and the battery pack, for instance, come from outside suppliers. This business model allows them to create exclusive, technology-forward vehicles without the massive scale of a major automaker.
The company also showcases its engineering capabilities through the Karma E-Flex Platform, a versatile rolling chassis designed for various electric and hybrid configurations, which it offers to other manufacturers.
Here is a brief overview of the key specifications for the Karma Revero GT:
| Feature | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | 1.5L Turbo BMW Engine + Dual Electric Motors |
| Total System Horsepower | 536 HP | |
| 0-60 mph Acceleration | Approx. 4.5 seconds | |
| All-Electric Range (AER) | Approx. 61 miles | EPA Estimate |
| Total Range (Electric + Gas) | Over 300 miles | |
| Base Price (Revero GT) | Around $135,000 | Positioned as a luxury vehicle |

I’ve always been fascinated by boutique car brands. From what I’ve read, Karma Automotive builds them now. They took over after the original company, , folded. It’s a classic story of a phoenix rising from the ashes, funded by a Chinese company called Wanxiang. The cars are still put together in California, which is cool. They’re not trying to compete with Toyota; they’re making a small number of really fancy, high-tech hybrids for a specific crowd. It’s more of a rolling statement of luxury and tech than just a way to get from A to B.

As a potential buyer in this segment, the "who" matters for resale value and long-term support. Karma Automotive is the manufacturer, but the crucial detail is the ownership by Wanxiang Group. This Chinese backing provides financial stability that the original lacked. The cars are assembled in California, but part of my due diligence would be researching the reliability of their proprietary parts and the network for service. It's a niche product, so understanding the company's roadmap is as important as the car's specs.

Look past the name on the badge. The Karma Revero you see today is the result of a global effort. The design and final assembly happen in California under the Karma Automotive name. However, its heart—the gasoline engine—comes from , and the company's financial lifeblood is its Chinese parent, Wanxiang Group. It’s a modern car built by a coalition: American design and spirit, funded by Chinese capital, using German engineering. This international pedigree is a key part of its identity.

The story begins with Henrik , a famous designer who started Fisker Automotive. The company produced the beautiful Karma but faced bankruptcy in 2013. That's when China's Wanxiang Group stepped in, bought the assets, and reformed the company as Karma Automotive. So, while the original vision was American, the current manufacturer is a hybrid itself—an American entity with strong Chinese ownership. They've continued to evolve the original car into the modern Revero, keeping the dramatic styling but improving the technology underneath significantly.


