Karma invests in a new Design Studio at its headquarters in Irvine, California

Southern California-based luxury electric vehicle automaker and high-tech incubator Karma Automotive announced its investment in a new dedicated design studio at its global headquarters in Irvine, Calif.

The state-of-the-art studio will help further establish Karma Design as a dedicated business unit and drive the company's unique design identity in the Karma products of the future.

Construction of the new design studio is currently underway, representing an investment of more than $1 million and underscores Karma's efforts to enhance and grow its design services. The new studio will strengthen the company's design capabilities as it enters a period of rapid product introduction, including the development of an all-new global Karma platform in 2021, spawning a variety of new models in rapid succession.

“Karma is recognised for our breathtaking design, world-class craftsmanship and personalization,” said Andreas Thurner, Karma's Global Vice President, Design and Architecture. “As our company moves forward in new and exciting directions, we look forward to delivering premium luxury design services to both discerning Karma customers and business enterprises throughout the world.”

In addition to designing Karma's new global all-electric platform, Karma Design will play a critical role in Karma's diversification as the brand embraces new market opportunities, evolving from a pure automaker to a tech-focused brand with intent to license its design, customisation, engineering and technology resources. Karma's dedicated in-house design team will lend its expertise to other OEMs, start-ups, and offer luxury lifestyle design services beyond automotive.

Led by Thurner, Karma Design's dedicated team encompasses more than 30 skilled designers from across the globe with experience in a variety of industries including automotive, fashion, luxury goods and more. The new design studio is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, and is part of a wider investment of more than $10 million in new infrastructure at Karma's Global Headquarters in Irvine, Calif., this year, including a new dynamometer test facility and conference centre.