Fisker Automotive and Technology Group on Tuesday announced plans to re-enter the luxury automotive market by opening its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Moreno Valley.

The City of Moreno Valley, in a press release, said the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle Karma will be produced by Fisker in a newly built, 555,670 square-foot facility it will lease at 17100 Perris Blvd in the South Moreno Valley Industrial Area.

Fisker’s headquarters are in Costa Mesa.

The company said it expects to create 150 full-time manufacturing jobs at the start of production. Details about the timing of the relaunch were not revealed.

Moreno Valley Mayor Jesse Molina called Fisker’s decision to open a manufacturing facility in the city a landmark moment.

Fisker was founded in 2007 and in 2010 received a $529 million loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy to build its hybrid vehicles. It rolled out its $100,000-plus Karma, built in Finland, in 2011.

Plagued by slow salesand problems with components, the company filed for bankrutpcy in 2013, according to an article in the Orange County Register.

As part of the bankruptcy case settlement, Fisker Automotive’s ownership shifted from Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li in 2014 to Wanxiang, a Chinese parts maker with a deep-pocket plan to put the company’s gas-electric hybrid Karma back on the assembly line and introduce lower-cost vehicles by 2017. In May, the company launched a support website for Karma owners, thenewfisker.com, offering parts and service assistance.

Executives with Fisker Automotive could not be immediately reached for an interview.

City officials indicated that Fisker plans to open a showroom and conduct tours of its plant, as a way to showcase its flagship gas-electric vehicle.

Related stories on Fisker

Fisker details emerge in bankruptcy

Wanxiang wins Fisker auction

Fisker’s Karma may relaunch in 2015

Contact the writer: 951-368-9423 or dgruszecki@pe.com