#16 (EN): Headlights, Highlights, Lowlights, Taillights.
Mukavaa sunnuntaita (Finn.), or as we usually say happy Sunday!
This time: Happy Easter = Hyvää pääsiäistä. A simple "Uusikaupunki" already is too easy for us. Great language.
Today we turn the spotlight on the new Sprint Report, published by Sono last week.
+++ STATUS OF DEVELOPMENT +++
The roadmap for the Sion disappeared from the Sono homepage after the decision for Valmet Automotive. But, of course, we have backed up the infographics for future reference. The Valmet people are professionals, but the work has to be done nonetheless.
Simply put, there are still two huge challenges ahead of Sono
homologation (incl. crash test and bug fixing)
the financing of series production
And many, many small steps. And, of course, the SVC3 this summer, but that is no longer a hurdle; it should make it in any case. Looking at the Sono homepage, all (!) lights on the development side are green. From a community point of view, we are not yet that enthusiastic - there are still too many small hurdles ahead of Sono and us - but we can look to the Sion future with a cautiously optimistic outlook.
https://sonomotors.com/en/state-of-development/
+++ SPRINT REPORT +++
There is a new sprint report available! This week's update is about calendar week 12, so with a little time delay. If you like the whole text in the original, at the end is the PDF. Andreas worked his way through it, here is the summary
Highlights:
"Headcount: D.V.P. and testing engineers contracted" More test engineers were contracted.
"SCCM SVC3 SW release is finished and delivered to Sono with the components for testing" Finally, Sono can test the steering column.
"Vehicle-start via app and key fob are almost finished". Starting the Sion via app and wireless switch is largely implemented. There are probably still a few small details to work out.
"Body Structure: Updates for SVC3 are released in 3DX". The updated 3D files for S.V.C. 3 are ready and have been made available.
"Logistics: Carrier's quotation for the Supply Chain of P.V. labels - V2" They started to ask for quotations to secure the transport of the solar cells for the production of the Sion.
"Crash & Safety: Charger Lid - requirement "functional after a crash" → Done" This is also good. You can now still open the charger lid after a small crash.
In progress:
"SVC3: Feedback supplier: Sono number system needs update, because for supplier it is hard to sort the single part to sub-assemblies" Sono needs to learn to count. Apparently, they used a numbering scheme when numbering the Sion parts that is now causing problems. Suppliers can't tell which assembly the part belongs to by the numbers... So here goes. I'll start ... 1.... This reminds us of something, there are still new 10,000 reservers that would like their number.
"Body Electronics: B.C.M. S.W. has bugs on the functional implementation → Time intensive & slows down the LabCar progress" This is uncool, but quite normal in software development. The B.C.M., the central control unit for basic functions such as unlocking and starting the car, etc., has bugs that take a lot of time to fix. This is slowing down the build of the lab vehicle.
What is also being worked on is setting the final colors for the interior, the powertrain assembly manual, and, very interestingly, crash and safety for the high voltage system and AVAS. We finally want to hear what the Sion sounds like!
Unfortunately, there are also a few lowlights.
"Communication that Sono will change to the newest Catia version (2022) too late. Our E.S.P.'s cannot switch in a few days." CATIA is software for digital and 3D product design. There was a change to a new version, and they probably forgot to inform the partners. They couldn't update as quickly, and probably the files couldn't be exchanged properly. This costs time and nerves - and possibly money for new licenses.
"Logistics: SVC3 L-BOM data populating → Parked" The logisticians are waiting to see which parts need to be transported when and how. Apparently, the bill of materials is not ready yet. The release has been postponed.
And how does it look in the individual areas?
Body Structure is in the starting blocks. There is a lot to do, but due to blockers, not much can be done at the moment.
SVC 3 is finished (digital data is published) from body structure perspective
We can start with SVC 4. The basic structures are created. Let's go!
E/E: A sprint review first - an item "in Progress" is listed as a highlight.
"ADAS: TARA (Threat Analyses and Risk Assessment) development is in progress (for cybersecurity req's)" This is about ensuring that the Sion, which is networked, cannot be attacked by hackers. To do this, it must be clear where potential points of attack are. The analysis is running. Please be thorough! Security always has advantages and disadvantages; everything that is encrypted in the vehicle must also be decrypted again, which costs computing time.
Powertrain - although there are no highlights, there is a lot of work going on. I find the point "Torque value definition" interesting. In this case, driving data such as "torque" are determined. Exciting. Because that is also important for the topic of towing capacity, for example, and we are waiting for that.
DCU Distribution and Charging Unit: The child has a new name. Everyone says On-board Charger (O.B.C.). Sono now calls it DCU. This is probably because Sono needs to integrate more functions here with solar integration. Currently, the technical specifications for the DCU are also being redefined. We are also interested in this.
The adapter for V2V and V2L and the software in the DCU are mentioned as problems/lowlights. V2V is charging other e-cars, and V2L is Vehicle 2 Load, anything with a plug you can connect to the Sion to power it. That issue could keep us busy for a while. DCU sounds like a "Dilithium Crystal Unit" to Star Trek fans, the propulsion unit of the Enterprise. Sono needs someone like Scotty! Who remembers Michael Mittermeier's dialogue from 20 years ago?
Scotty: Captain, the dilithium crystals are burned out. I need at least two weeks to repair it.
Captain Kirk: I'll give you 4 hours.
Scotty: Okay, I'll do it in two hours!
Logistics. Here we found something in the backlog under "in Progress": A SVC3 is going to the U.S.A. "V.I.N. & Invoice for the car (SVC3) which is planned to be transported to U.S. → Backlog" An invoice is written for it, and a V.I.N. (chassis number) is assigned. Are there any test drives planned in the U.S.A.?
Lowlight: English legalese still needs to be translated into German. But is not progressing at the moment. Most items are highlights or in progress, fine.
Design gets by with one side this time and can report positively that the gap between the bumper and headlights now fits. Also, the "radiator grille design" fits now. Laurin had posted something on Instagram. Lowlights do not exist. For the SVC3, the interior color and a few interior tweaks are still "in progress."
Crash&Safety has three pages of highlights and two pages in progress, and no lowlights: Welding is in progress. Various things have been noticed and fixed on the welds. Very good. Then pre-production does pay off, even on the pre-production line.
The seats are still being fine-tuned. Both the mounting rails and the errors discovered during testing have been revised and are being checked. Work has also been done on the seat belt.
Some (simulated) crash test findings have also been fixed. Pedestrians and occupants may feel safer.
There are minor delays with interior parts. Safety testing continues nonetheless.
There is one item that puzzles, we have no idea what is going on here: "Lashing Eye 01V089 → In progress" Does the Sion get eye lashes? It could also be an eyelet to lash luggage or the towing eye. Anyway, the part number doesn't help at all in solving it. 089 is the area code of Munich. I think we can understand the suppliers that there is room for improvement.
Also exciting are the items that have migrated to the backlog, that is, the "topic memory". Sensors, belt attachments, connections. The Sion is supposed to be simpler. There is still a need for optimization at the connection points (screw connections, bonding, welding). The current crash test status should be visible in the Sono internal wiki in the future. Unfortunately, we do not have access to it. But you don't have to know everything.
For the easy cases, we have updated our lexicon: Sono - German / German - Sono:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mjv1Akzd2EfXNF08eCNOL0nMApQNIBkCS-BFzmXw7AY
And here is the complete report:
https://sonomotors.com/de/downloads/development-sprint-review-cw-12-2022/
+++ CHIRPING AND BLING BLING +++
The rear lights are shining and look like much better build quality:
https://twitter.com/SonoMotors/status/1514235882567524355
And from the Instagram Story from Thursday/Friday comes slightly modified today's cover image. By the way, there are no light bars with animation ("fairground blinkers") - for cost reasons, it remains with a simple on and off.
+++ SAABBLOG +++
The Saabblog files for divorce with Sono and says goodbye S.E.V. Sono moves on from Trollhättan to Uusikaupunki.
As of now, no more reports from Saabblog anymore. NEVS is apparently not angry at all: "However, they don't seem to be very sad about the final cancellation of Sono Motors. Probably because they now have one less problem on the agenda and could no longer see contract manufacturing as a future core business." According to the report, Sono has also done everything right with Valmet: "For Sono Motors, the decision to choose Valmet as its Finnish contract manufacturer is a good move. The plant in Uusikaupunki is highly modern, and the workforce is perfectly trained. The move to Finland minimizes all the risks that would have been taken with an inexperienced company like NEVS. Since the production of a car body equipped with solar panels in series anyway involves imponderables due to lack of experience, it is reasonable not to take other risks in the first place."
Critically, Saabblog noted that the demand for a good 40,000 Sions annually has yet to be awakened.
We would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to Saabblog, who has looked favorably, but also at times skeptically, on the project, but always fairly. Trollhättan, Saab, Saabblog all the best - you will forever be a part of the Sono story.
https://saabblog.net/2022/04/10/sono-motors-das-ende-der-schwedisch-deutschen-liaison/
+++ LEFT AND RIGHT: Prices, Bafa +++
Tesla has led the way; others are following suit. Tesla's entry-level Model 3 S.R. became 7,000 euros more expensive overnight at the beginning of April, and now Ford is following suit with the Mach-E, raising the price of the model by 10,000 euros. Both are thus out of the old subsidy, which would currently mean another 1000 euros in additional costs for the customer (until the end of 2022). The price increases at Sono of 1,400 euros or plus 5% to 29,900 euros are rather moderate. Even the popular and, in terms of performance, roughly comparable tiny Fiat 500E ICON is already well over €30,000 without the winter package, etc., before its renewed price increase. Golem recently reported that the Lightyear one has increased in price by a whopping 100,000 euros (!).
https://honorater.com/lightyear-one-e100000-more-expensive-autoweek/
Habeck's Easter package: The F.A.Z. is the first to report news on the subsidy - nothing has been decided yet - but everything indicates that the "marketable" plug-in hybrids will fall out and if it goes according to the Minister of Economics - the federal government still wants to add 4,000 euros. An own contribution of the companies is not addressed. "The federal share is to amount to 2023 still 4000 euros, 2024 and 2025 it should be 3000 euros. So far, the federal share is up to 6000 euros."
Nix exactly one does not know this yet, but all report. Also, nothing is mentioned concerning the possible special position of S.E.V. or particularly economical BEV. Since the cited regulations deviate from the coalition agreement, it still has to be discussed; in these times nothing today is the same as yesterday anyway.
FAZ (13.04./ 20:05) https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/habeck-will-foerderung-von-plug-in-hybridautos-streichen-17957776.html
elecrive.net brings more details: in the future, the final gross price shall be decisive incl. all equipment of the vehicle to be subsidized. So that the practice stops to have a basic model in the list, so nobody buys and everything in surcharge packages is packed. It may then be at 65,000 euros. (Up to now, 40,000 euro net price of the smallest model/base vehicle plus arbitrarily expensive equipment). The commitment/hold period will reportedly be extended to one year.
This type of promotion does not provide incentives for O.E.M.'s to bring low-priced and small models, but the market is there. And that provides an opportunity for Sono to gain a foothold here.
https://www.electrive.net/2022/04/14/endet-der-umweltbonus-fuer-phev-bereits-2022/
+++ FUN FACT 1: PICK UP CLUB +++
If you want to sail to Finland to pick up the Sion 2023/2024, you can sign up for the "StarClub" at Finnlines in anticipation. There it goes from Travemünde to Helsinki and further with the bus. The StarClub registration costs currently nothing but provides a few advantages such as discounts and rebooking options, which is always helpful with Sono, ok that was mean ... Finnlines seems to be the / a logistics partner of Valmet, the pure cargo transports there's from Uusikaupunki directly to Travemünde and on the photo of the cargo page, the star on the loaded cars to see. Otherwise, there is also a connection to Helsinki from Rostock.
https://www.finnlines.com/de/schiffsreise/finnlines-star-club/star-club-faq
+++ CLEAN ELECTRIC +++
Sono is mentioned between the cargo bike and the autonomous solar boat Mahi 2 ( also from Munich) in the new CleanElectric Podcast.
CleanElectric reports: from 1:53:00 positive feedback on paver change despite the price increase, from 2:04:00 likewise on M.V.G. / solar bus trailer.
https://podcastaddict.com/episode/138100704
Thanks to Kay for the hint and the link.
If you want to know more about the mentioned solar boat:
+++ DATES +++
Investor relations: on 19.04., Sono will publish the year 2021 numbers and a webcast for the analysts:
+++ BOOK TIP +++
"Catching Up" by Simon Hage and Martin Hesse.
Tesla, tech giants like Google and Apple, and also numerous Chinese manufacturers [....] are already investing heavily in the climate-friendly, digitally connected mobility of the future. But the race to catch up has begun: [...] ambitious startups are getting ready to develop cars suitable for the masses that were considered unthinkable only a short time ago. Sono is one of them.
https://twitter.com/sonomotors/status/1513534358979760130?s=21&t=NBIsktkRLz8qm9H22Y5Gkg
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.de/Buch/Aufholjagd/Simon-Hage/DVA-Sachbuch/e598642.rhd
+++ FUN FACT 2 +++
In 1975 (that's 47 years ago!), the following dialog occurred on "Löwenzahn":
Peter Lustig in the eGolf, asked by a driver of a combustion engine whether electricity is really the better drive:
Combustion driver: Yes, only for power generation, it also needs petroleum".
Peter Lustig: "Not necessarily. There is also hydropower and of course solar energy. And one day, if we keep inventing and thinking, maybe we'll get all these gasoline stinkers off the road. But I'll give you a lift anyway.
So even then, the desire to have mobility without petroleum - and with ride-sharing.
The video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaYEgcqyTjM
(60 seconds future from the 70s)
Stay healthy! pysyy terveenä!
Andreas, Astrid - and Sebastian.