#7 (EN): Hit the wall, Dialect, Sprint Report
Tuesday is Valentine's Day. Since 90 percent of the community are male we want to remind everybody in time to get something. The Sion can be seen in Saarbrücken on the 14th. No updates from the search for investors. And there was finally a video that many have been waiting for - the Sion was driven against the wall. Testwise.
+++ CRASH-TEST +++
The Sion development program continues in parallel with the #savesion campaign. This has advantages and disadvantages: If the campaign is successful, you have lost less time than if you take a complete break. The disadvantage is that it costs money that could have been saved if the Sion did not come.
The crash test pays off on both goals, it shows that Sono technology is suitable for automobiles: inevitable for the Sion, and just as valuable for a "solar only" company without a Sion.
From the community, the frontal crash test video was eagerly awaited, although it is of course a pity to see a Sion destroyed. Announced already Monday, some more camera perspectives and further tests were added during the week.
The press release offers background information and cheers: "Solar integration convinces in first crash test of the Sion". Solid work.
The driver assistants are also listed, finally: ADAS is set, the distance cruise control is also in the Sion, but will only be activated later. We still wait for a final statement on the trailer hitch.
The solar integration in the body is a technical novelty. It is important that this does not splinter in all directions, and the crash test is an important building block for proving suitability for series production.
In this context, questions kept coming:
Why is the Sion green in the video? The reason is contrast; on a black car, it's hard to see black cracks. The color does not affect crash behavior.
Is this the "Euro NCAP test?". No. Euro NCAP is an additional marketing tool - not every car is tested by NCAP. Tests at Euro NCAP are commissioned by the members. In Germany, these are: the ADAC, UDV (Association of German Insurers), DEKRA, and the responsible Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV). OEMs can also order a test, but this is not necessary for approval. We suspect that the Sion is unique in its segment anyway and therefore the Euro NCAP test will come at some point.
Background Euro NCAP: Euro NCAP normally buys the cars - which must already have type approval and come from series production - anonymously on behalf. Up to four cars are needed for the test. So we still have to wait for the stars. Idea: Actually, the BMDV could buy the four Sions right now, otherwise they won't get the test opportunity until 2025 or 2026.
The press release from Sono:
Infos zu Euro NCAP:
https://www.euroncap.com/de/euro-ncap/erlaeuterungen-zur-fahrzeugauswahl/#
Elk test (spin test) video from Friday:
Time-lapse video of the frontal crash from above (no registration required):
https://twitter.com/LaurinHahn/status/1623686915940618247
Time-lapse video of the frontal crash from the side:
https://twitter.com/SonoMotors/status/1622967970396794880
+++ WASSUP? +++
Last week we were still joking about the different greetings around Germany in the carnival season. Sono has now dubbed nine version of the “Sion in 3 minutes video” - from Badisch to Sächsisch, from Bavarian to Platt. It was dubbed by employees from the regions. I couldn't pick out a highlight, they're all super funny. Listen for yourself:
https://sonomotors.com/de/wir-alle-fur-den-sion/
The videos are intended for download, so that they can be easily sent via WhatsApp - not for online viewing. So to view them, you have to click on the downloaded file.
Community tip from Carsten: There is, for example, an app called CutStory, with which you can cut up the clips and pack them, for example, in the WhatsApp status, so the whole movie fits lossless in the status.
+++ CAMPAIGN +++
With 16 days left in the extension, the counter stands at a good 49,414,237 euros in pledges. This is not enough, the message is clear - the community alone cannot advance the 104 million euros, a strategic investor is needed. It's already unbelievable - over 50 million euros have already been provided by the community, and another almost 50 million euros have been pledged.
https://sonomotors.com/en/api/preorder-data/
For those who haven't seen it yet, there is an overview of the financial situation on the IR page (from mid-January). Important for Sono are the "non-dilutive" investments, which do not dilute the share price with new shares. In the chart in the video there, the "non-dilutives" have green check marks. That's why the community campaign is needed, along with several other "good" tools.
The Wedbush "Fireside Chat" can be viewed with a click on the Sono page, the code is there. (engl.)
https://ir.sonomotors.com/events/event-details/wedbush-sev-fireside-chat-ceo-cfo-coo-sono-group/
+++ SPRINT REPORT +++
We won't go through all of this one by one today, positives are coming from the SVC3 testing, the team obviously wants to show that they have developed a solid result and are ready to hand it over to Valmet Automotive:
All data to build the SVC4 has been sent to Valmet Automotive. Design freeze!
First crash tests with complete vehicles successfully performed,
WLTP efficiency 16.1 kWh/100 km (with charging losses) and 14.5 kWh/100 km (without charging losses), confirming range predictions and showing even more potential,
High voltage battery ECE R100 fire resistance test conducted & passed,
First TÜV approval (a § 70 exemption) granted for SVC3 test vehicles. Driving on public roads!
There are also negatives, mainly delays due to cost saving measures.
Start-up with new head-unit supplier delayed due to current cost-saving measures
E/E suffers from hiring freeze
Infotainment reports risk in working with suppliers due to current situation. This is not likely to affect just the infotainment team, the campaign is leaving its mark on everyone, suppliers, employees, us. If the campaign is successful, it will be important to take stock.
https://sonomotors.com/de/downloads/development-sprint-review-cw-06-2023/
+++ CRAZY GENIUS +++
Ben (Ben's Hacks) has once again dedicated a long video to the Sion and the way Sono communicates. He collects many plus points for the Sion.
+++ PRESS +++
Heise: Electric car with solar modules: Sion successfully crashed:
https://www.heise.de/news/Elektroauto-mit-Solarmodulen-Sion-erfolgreich-gecrasht-7489132.html
Südkurier: Who will buy this solar car? The manufacturers of the Sion are on the brink of extinction. In Friedrichshafen, the company is therefore soliciting buyers. Are perhaps the big companies interested?
Ecomento: Sono Motors completes first complete vehicle crash test with the Sion
https://ecomento.de/2023/02/07/sono-motors-sion-absolviert-ersten-gesamtfahrzeug-crashtest/
Emove 360: Crash test: Sono Motors solar integration convinces
https://www.emove360.com/de/crashtest-sono-motors-solar-integration-ueberzeugt/
InsideEVs: Sono Motors Sion Gets Crash Tested, Proves Its Solar Panels Are Safe
https://insideevs.com/news/651437/sono-motors-sion-crash-test/
Efahrer: Solar car in crash test: This is how safe the PV car is in an accident
https://efahrer.chip.de/news/solarauto-im-crashtest-so-sicher-ist-die-pv-karosse-beim-unfall_1011422
+++ TOURSTOPPS +++
The Sion continues on tour, the next stops:
Saarbrücken: 14.02.2023
Ladepark Hilden: 15.02.2023 - 16.02.2023
Essen: 17.02.2023 - 18.02.2023
Kassel: 21.02.2023
Leipzig: 23.02.2023 - 24.02.2023
München: 24.02.2023: Showroom & Test Drives
Chemnitz: 25.02.2023
München: 25.02.2023: Showroom & Test Drives
+++ NEWSLETTER +++
Lots of newsletters went out, since Sono segments and not everyone gets them all, here's the list we got:
02/10: Your region, your Sion.
07.02.: Crash test: So safe is the Sion.
02/05: The energy revolution - on your doorstep
01.02.: How our solar integration is produced!
30.01.: The project is too far to fail now
+++ BAIRD +++
Sono is at the Baird 2023 Vehicle Technology & Mobility Conference. I've never heard of it, but investors and company leaders are speaking there. Hopefully it will be of some use.
https://ir.sonomotors.com/events/event-details/baird-2023-vehicle-technology-mobility-conference
+++ SERIES TOOLS +++
Sono shows something from trial series production with series tools. Quite big. Here the front bumper:
There are many queries about the influence of the campaign on the ordering of tools and whether all delays have already been planned for. An important issue, but one that we don't have to get to the bottom of until the end of the campaign, when it is successful and all the cards are on the table.
+++ FUN FACTS +++
The wait until the end of the campaign can only be endured with humor. The crash tests take place in Italy, among other places, the home country of narrow streets and Fiat. The latter tests realistically, the video of the Fiat 500 is an absolute classic. Fits Valentine's Day, do not forget to get something for Tuesday!
Fiat 500 quality check:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3YBhftZSlbM
And likewise a classic: Trabi finishing
If things work out with the Sion, it is already certain that it will also become a classic.
Have a great week, stay healthy!
Sebastian, Asti, Andreas, Wolfgang