Published reports on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Fisker Automotive’s Bernhard Koehler to the newly created role of Chief Business Development Officer, reporting to Tom LaSorda, CEO. 
The move is significant because Koehler, a co-founder of Fisker, had directing the conversion of former G.M. Boxwood plant west of Wilmington as the production site for the mid-sized Fisker Atlantic.
That project is on hold, due to the suspension of the federal loan that would help convert the plant. The loan has become a political issue with Presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticizing the loan. Others have claimed Vice President Joe Biden exerted undue influence in securing the loan. The loan program itself originated in the administration of George W. Bush.
The State of Delaware also issued a financial package and said it will work to get its money back if plans for the plant fall through.
Koehler and Fisker are looking to expand markets for the Atlantic, which is in the development stage and the Fisker Karma, which is in production.
Fisker has been aggressively raising funds and plans to build the Atlantic elsewhere if the government loan goes away.
