News Summary: Fisker to cut workforce sharply

IDLING: Electric car maker Fisker Automotive Inc. has laid off about three-fourths of the workers at its California headquarters as it struggles with financial and production problems.

ROUGH RIDE: Last month, its co-founder resigned and Fisker furloughed its staff of about 220 for one week. The company at one time had about 600 workers. Fisker said it plans to keep about one quarter of its workforce, but it gave no numbers. One-fourth of the workforce would be about 55 people, with 165 laid off.

HARDLY WORKING: Fisker, which makes the $100,000 Karma plug-in hybrid sports car, hasn't produced any cars since last year after its battery supplier filed for bankruptcy protection. The company has struggled to attract investment and was shopping around for a buyer or company to join it in an alliance.