Al-Futtaim Group launches Middle East’s first luxury hybrid vehicle

An Emirati business conglomerate, Al-Futtaim Group, together in partnership with the California-based Fisker Automotive have launched the first luxury hybrid vehicle in the Middle East, local media reported on Friday.

Karma, a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan produced by Fisker Automotive and manufactured at Valmet Automotive in Finland, will have its price hovering around $163 thousands in the UAE, Dubai-based business website, CPI Financial reported.

The branded car, which is the world’s first environmentally-responsible luxury car, will be distributed by Al-Futtaim to other Middle Eastern countries.

“Today is a proud moment for the Fisker brand as it is the start to our journey in the Middle East. We are honored to have a partner with such strong legacy,” the Dubai-based website, Arabian Business, quoted Fisker’s co-founder and executive chairman, Henrik Fisker, saying.

The family-owned group is known as a major distributor in the region of the world’s most popular vehicle brands such as Toyota, Honda and Lexus among others. The award-winning Karma is widely endorsed by Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio, who is also an equity investor in the brand.

The Fisker Karma has already picked a number of global awards, including Top Gear’s Luxury Car of the Year, Automobile’s Design of the Year Award, listing in TIME Magazine’s Top 50 Innovations of 2012, a Global Green Design Award, and Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrierte named Karma Most Stylish Car of 2012.