Fisker Owners Form Open-Source Group to Keep Cars Running After Bankruptcy

American electric vehicle maker Fisker filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2024, and its liquidation plan was approved by the court in October of the same year. Founded by automotive designer Henrik Fisker, the company’s only mass-produced model—the Ocean SUV—began deliveries in 2023, with total production reaching approximately 12,000 units. The company quickly ran into trouble due to manufacturing difficulties, insufficient production capacity, and quality control issues. The bankruptcy left around 11,000 Ocean owners worldwide without official technical support, after-sales service, or over-the-air (OTA) updates. In response, roughly 4,000 owners spontaneously formed a nonprofit organization called the Fisker Owners Association (FOA). Through reverse engineering, they cracked the vehicle's software system and CAN bus communication protocols, developing third-party software capable of replacing the original cloud-based services. This enables them to independently push updates, fix bugs, and add new features. To address the disruption in original-equipment parts supply, FOA members established an independent parts supply chain through crowdfunding and global sourcing. In Europe, the group launched a "Flying Doctors" initiative, where technically skilled members provide mobile cross-regional repair services. In the U.S., FOA successfully advocated for safety recalls to be included in the bankruptcy proceedings and facilitated agreements with multiple insurers to continue covering Fisker vehicles. FOA describes itself as the world’s first fully owner-controlled, open-source electric vehicle fleet.