The role will include boosting the sales footprint of the Karma saloon, which uses an extended-range electric drivetrain based on a 2.0-litre General Motors petrol engine and two electric motors with 201bhp each. Posawatz will also be involved in launching the Atlantic compact saloon.

Posawatz, who has also been chairman of the board at the Electric Drive Transportation Association, was responsible for launching the Volt globally, and brings 30 years of product development, strategy, quality and manufacturing expertise to Fisker, the manufacturer said.

Fisker Automotive lead Board Director and largest investor, Ray Lane, commented: ‘Tony's vast experience in this field makes him the perfect candidate to lead us into this exciting new future. To have such a globally recognized product leader is a huge coup for the company.’

In addition to Posawatz, Fisker has made a number of high-profile appointments in recent weeks. Joseph Chao has joined the company as vice president and chief executive officer of China and Asia, bringing experience gained while working at Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors in the region. Former Ford and Dana Holding executive Jim Yost was appointed as chief financial officer at the end of July.

Executive chairman and co-founder, Henrik Fisker, said: ‘With these new appointments, we are sending a strong signal about Fisker Automotive and our future plans to develop the next generation of powertrain technology, bring more new Fisker products to market and expand our global sales footprint.’