VLF introduced the Fisker Karma-based Destino V8 at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, and it appears the company continued to talk with the reborn Karma Automotive.
However, things have soured as VLF is accusing Karma of stealing plans for an electric Humvee.
According to the lawsuit, which was noticed by Bloomberg, VLF shared plans about the vehicle with Karma as part of a proposed partnership last fall. That deal would have involved building the vehicle for the Chinese market, but Karma is accused of trying to steal it.
The lawsuit says Karma CEO Lance Zhou used information provided by VLF to contact their manufacturing partners in an “effort to bring the electric Humvee to market, in China, on its own.” It goes on to allege that Karma’s “dismal sales” and “unfathomable losses” created a “vicious financial vortex,” and this caused Karma’s parent company, the Wanxiang Group, to pressure Zhou to “turn the company around using any means possible.”
It remains unclear how things will play out, but VLF is reportedly asking for at least $18.5 (£14.0 / €15.5) million in damages.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time that Karma has been accused of stealing intellectual property. Three years ago, Jalopnik reported on the case of PowerSource which was a company that offered an upgrade module for the original Fisker Karma.
The module increased the car’s performance while also extending its electric-only range. Interestingly enough, the reborn Karma Revero had virtually the same changes and this quickly raised suspicions that Karma stole their technology and even used a “spy car” to do it.