#2 (EN): Milestones, 40 Million, Munich
Have a nice Sunday. One week of 2023 is over. Currently, every day feels like a week.
+++ CAMPAIGN +++
It has become a bit tough at #saveSion. We do not give up hope, of course, just under 40 million collected so far - respect community. One or the other is probably lurking to see if there are still commitments from the "other sources" that are mentioned in the reservation conditions.
Some feel the desire to start with less, just to keep the project going. We can understand this so well. On the other hand, every euro that is still missing is a greater risk for the project, because all the more money has to be collected by summer.
https://sonomotors.com/de/financial-transparency/
+++ COMMUNITY +++
One bright spot, active reservists increased from 20,984 on Dec. 1 to 22,139 as of Jan. 1. The community must grow if we are to reach the goal.
https://sonomotors.com/de/who-we-are/
What was interesting for many was whether the number would increase at all - it could also have been that many dropped out with the shock news. Laurin posted a few details about the campaign. 2% quitters have been since December. About 440 reservers.
To rank that, you'd have to know how many Sono was expecting. I actually would have expected a bit more cancellations, but have also been surprised many times in the past how strongly the community stands with Sono.
https://twitter.com/LaurinHahn/status/1611256528706719746
+++ VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY +++
Why should the Sion be on the road? If you want to send a short clip to Sono about why the Sion should be on the road, or what you think is great, you can do so at:
The Sonos will then put something together. Everyone can grab his or her cell phone and contribute if he or she likes.
(via E-Mail)
+++ 13.01. Tech Day +++
On 13.01. the Tech Day will take place at Sono in Munich. There will be information booths about
MCU & DCU
Solar integration
Bidirectional charging
Homologation
Infotainment
App
Cybersecurity
For kids there is a handicraft corner. Maybe we adults can also do some handicrafts, I'm thinking of a wooden construction the size of a washing machine to see what fits into the Sion.
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/tech-day-tickets-498637436997
+++ MILESTONE PAYMENTS +++
Almost every day a newsletter pours in on us. Discounts and promotions, every euro counts. Before you invest anything, please read the financial information and make an informed decision.
Saturday's was a new offer aimed at those who want more security: Milestone Payment:
From 6,000 euros down payment or further increase, payment in installments is possible. The entire sum is not debited at once, but in three parts. Since it is a payment obligation, this is fully included in the 104 million.
One part will be deducted if the campaign is successful, at the earliest on January 26, 2023.
One part when another milestone is reached: 130 million euros (net) in incoming payments and financing - no earlier than March 31, 2023. This means there is enough money to build the SVC4.
A part when the first SVC4 has been built in Uusikaupunki. - June 15, 2023 at the earliest
It is stated in the text that the order can change, so first SVC4, then more money.
Installment payment provides a little more flexibility on one side. It will help some, not everyone has a few thousand euros lying around - the campaign came without warning. On the other hand, we see a slight risk that someone will overextend themselves. Not much, three installments are not 60 months. Just be careful.
Sources:
https://sonomotors.com/de/payment-plan/
Here is the explanation of the "Special Conditions”:
https://twitter.com/LaurinHahn/status/1611663298512003072
Link to the T&C 15.1 with the "Special Conditions" from the website
https://sonomotors.com/site/assets/files/1629/230107_sono_motors_agb_nr__15_1_ger_1.pdf
The is also an explanatory video with Torsten (CFO), which can also be found on the website in the “payment-plan” section:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o45iy3WikzQ
+++ AUTOBILD ++++
German news outlet BILD writes: "#SaveSion: Under this slogan, Sono Motors wants to collect the good 100 million euros in 50 days that are necessary to procure the tools and robots for production from the contract manufacturer Valmet in Finland. To do so, 3500 of the 21,000 Sono enthusiasts who have reserved a Sion would have to transfer just under 30,000 euros by the end of January 2023 for the car that doesn't yet exist."
Very compressed, but essentially correct.
https://www.autobild.de/artikel/sono-motors-sion-solarauto-crowdfunding-valmet-22379599.html
+++ SPRINT REPORT +++
The Sprint Report used to be a highlight, currently it feels a bit queasy. Florian from the Facebook group has already provided a first translation. The campaign is having an impact everywhere, including in development:
There are promising initial results from the WLTP test. I would interpret “promising” as more or less in the target range, maybe even better. Which is also important, since the solar range is also based on the consumption calculations.
The whole development progress of the Sion is strongly slowed down by the financing situation
Possible problems with designated suppliers due to project delays
It is not possible to place new orders for SVC4
https://sonomotors.com/site/assets/files/10538/sono-motors-dev-sprint-review-cw46-22-1.pdf
+++ ELECTRIFY NOW ++
A positive video from "Electrify Now: The SION by Sono Motors - A first look at the features of the first solar car". Great comments under the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wha-D7AeqBk
+++ NOW YOU KNOW +++
Small, small, seems to be a typical German characteristic on Youtube. You can see how you can be much more positive about new ideas in the report from "Now You Know". It's a pity that Sono is not collecting reservations in the USA. The mood there is much more positive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iDf58o6lEg
+++ FUN FACT +++
Will the Sion soon come in terracotta color? Polymer has arrived in the solar industry! Solar panels with a film coating that filters out certain wavelengths and can thus produce almost any color have been available for several years. There are losses, but they also look good.
Now there is something new from Italy - terracotta tiles with solar!
"Above the actual photovoltaic cells, a polymer mass is applied that is colored, but that allows the light components that the cells need to pass through. We can create the appearance of stone, wood, concrete and brick." The tiles look deceptively real and don't stand out on ancient roofs."
There are far more hours of sunshine around the Mediterranean than in the north, so panels are particularly interesting here, and of course, as here, in historic preservation.
Report in Stern:
Source (English):
https://pocityf.eu/news/invisible-is-better-when-sustainable-solutions-blend-into-the-landscape/
Have a great week, stay healthy.
Sebastian, Asti, Andreas und Wolfgang