VLF Automotive is a small American-based automotive company formed in January 2016. It was founded as VL Automotive in 2012 by Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villarreal, then renamed after Henrik Fisker joined the company.
Industry | Automotive |
---|---|
Founded | 2012 |
Founder | Bob Lutz Gilbert Villarreal |
Products | VLF Destino VLF Force 1 V10 |
Website | vlfautomotive.com |
The company was founded by designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker, ex-General Motors vice-chairman Bob Lutz and industrialist Gilbert Villarreal. The company's name is taken from the initials of their surnames.[1]
In 2013 they displayed the Destino, its first model, based on the Fisker Karma, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
In 2016 they debuted the Force 1, a 745 hp American sports car at the North American International Auto Show.
The VLF Destino four-door sedan was first shown in January 2013, heavily based on the Fisker Karma, but fitted with a 6.2 L V8 gasoline engine rather than the electric power of the Karma.[1]
Sales of the Destino were scheduled to commence in the second half of 2015, with cars to be built in Auburn Hills in Michigan,[2] but the company only obtained twenty Fisker Karma "gliders" and reported 100 orders by May 2013.[3] At the January 2014 Detroit Autoshow, the company announced that production was delayed due to the ongoing restructuring of Fisker.[4]
The company announced production of a limited edition 745 HP American sports car Force 1 V10, limited to 50 by third quarter 2016. The car was a Coach Built Dodge Viper.
In 2018, VLF partnered with Galpin Auto Sports to produce the Rocket V8, a coach built Ford Mustang that is to be co built by both VLF and Galpin Auto Sports.
Beginning in 2017, VLF is contracting a version of the HMMWV/Hummer H1 for the non-Americas market with limited run of 100 units per year via contract from AM General. Markets include China, Europe and the Middle East.[5] AM General had announced offering the C-Series as a kit for sale in 2012, but cancelled the project.[6]