#8 (EN): Wait, Wissing, What?
Have a nice Sunday. We are nearing the end of overtime. Felt we started the second half with a draw and are not really further as of now.
+++ STATUS +++
Saturday morning, around 50 million euros gross in pledges was reached. Four Sion vehicles more than on Friday evening. 9.5 days left to raise another almost 46 million (net).
Then a decision will be made for or against the Sion. Solar only is the second option. If Sono only supplies solar integrated technology for others, it will also help to realize the vision of "Solar on Every Vehicle". But actually we want the car.
www.sonomotors.com / February 19th, 2023 - 06:30
According to the latest T&C version 15.1, dated January 7, 2023, which most parties now likely have, payment commitments can arise as follows:
Through
new reservation down payments, augmentations, and gifts
government grants and subsidies
loans and convertible loans
Bonds, profit participation rights, silent partnerships or other investments by private and institutional investors.
https://sonomotors.com/site/assets/files/1629/230107_sono_motors_agb_nr__15_1_eng_1.pdf
+++ Tech-Video #26: CRASHTEST +++
In the latest technology video, Sono shows the frontal crash test of the Sion. CTO Markus Volmer and Crash & Safety Engineer Valerij Tissen lead through the test with male and female dummies. The Sion is crashed head-on at 56 km/h, half offset.Friends of dry humor will find what they are looking for at minute 8:20, after the test on the way to the destroyed vehicle:
Markus: What does the first analysis say?
Valerij: The test has been performed.
Otherwise a nice thing, let's hope it doesn't catch anyone on the road like this. Over 18,000 views in 3 days already make the video one of the top tech videos of all time on the Sono channel.
+++ Tech-Video #27: ADAS +++
"ADAS" stands for "Advanced Driver Assistance Systems" and includes driver assistance systems that provide helpful warnings on driving safety in road traffic. If desired, they can also actively intervene in the steering process, for example if the vehicle is too close or if it leaves its lane. Diego, head of the ADAS department, and Anant present which systems they have implemented in the Sion, what they do and why they offer a real advantage in road traffic.
Of course, all these components have to go through many tests. This will be proven in a next test on the test track, with robots and artificial obstacles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igp7js1cdYo
+++ PODCAST +++
Elektro-Auto-Mobil takes a critical look at startups. Examples such as Byton, Faraday Future, Sono Motors, Lightyear and Uniti show that it is not that easy to turn the idea of a new type of electric car into a production vehicle. Even here in the podcast, the opinion that only cars that are high-priced, fast and expensive - or Chinese - have a chance is ultimately in the foreground.
https://www.elektroautomobil.com/newsbeitrag/eam-podcast-058#8
(Thanks to Kay for the link)
+++ Tech EU +++
TechEU brings a long article on Sono. Sono has filed more than 50 patents in the field of solar integration. Critical aspects also have their say, but the summary is well worth reading:
It's easy to write an article that focuses on skepticism. But let's not forget that Sono Motors is at least pushing the research and development of solar energy in mobility forever and has the potential to change the industry, if not now, then in the future.
https://tech.eu/2023/02/16/can-sono-motors-raise-enough-funds-to-manufacture-its-solar-ev/
+++ AMS +++
"Solar cells don't splinter" is the headline in "auto motor und sport" (ams). The ams reports on the crash test and has integrated a poll on whether Sono should stick with the Sion or not.
The answer options are worded somewhat strangely. The supporters answer more differentiated. 17 % stay on the middle, you can't really say it correctly at the moment. 30% favor - and the "usual opinion" outside the reserving and interested community says "total bullshit if no business." That's like saying "I won't go swimming at the lake if there's no water, then it's pointless". Logical, but there is water.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/elektroauto/sono-sion-crashtest/
+++ RECOMMENDED | SOLAR +++
We have a sustainability team in the "Community Council" (Advisory Council 2.0). Peter from the team has calculated whether the solar yield of the Sion from the data can be correct and has written a page for us about it. Thanks for that. Peter thinks that the values communicated by Sono are very realistic.
Important thought: to reach climate goals, every conceivable solar surface should be used in the future that can bring a positive contribution to harvest solar yield, so why not on cars and consume the energy directly? From the current 60 GWp, solar generation needs to be increased to about 400 GWp in the future. BEV and PV are part of the energy transition.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/53iivwqmcsuwy45/SolarertragbeimSonoSion.pdf?dl=0
(Danke Peter)
+++ COMMUNITY- TALK +++
Ben's Hacks and Remo "Zero Pioneer" met for a live exchange. The community is looking for answers and Ben and Remo chatted on Friday evening, not only about the Sion. Both have become convinced, but not uncritical fans of the Sion and the company Sono Motors over time. Relaxed exchange of the two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etuh5_6H0XY
+++ BIDI | ADAC+++
Very good article about Bidi and which cars will also be able V2H/G.
The Sion is there, which is not yet explained that it only needs the cheap AC wallbox. But the topic is becoming more important, also thanks to Sono.
https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/info/bidirektionales-laden/
+++ LIGHTYEAR +++
Background info: There is a group of investors who want to help Lightyear restart financially. Arnoud Aalbersberg called for investors, and more than 200 private investors have pledged capital - eight million euros so far.
The problem is that Invest NL, a sovereign wealth fund, had invested 80 million euros in Lightyear and received the intellectual property as collateral. And they don't want to give up this collateral so easily. But without them, Arnoud can't go on, because they also have to raise more money. Without rights to the product, it won't work. Lightyear CEO Lex speaks of a "paralysis" and time is running away - because the Lightyear employees at Atlas Technologies currently receive a few weeks of government bridge money from the UWV only and then with them goes the knowledge.
(Thanks to Richard)
https://fd.nl/bedrijfsleven/1468136/grote-investeerders-lightyear-haken-af-einde-zonne-auto-nabij
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etuh5_6H0XY
+++ NEWSLETTER +++
There was only one newsletter from Sono last week:
Crashing continues! 💥 Be there (almost) live!
+++ EVENTS +++
Laurin vs Wissing: on March 1, Laurin will meet German Minister for transportation Volker Wissing (FDP) in Berlin in a panel discussion moderated by Cerno Jobatey.
That could be interesting: depending on how the campaign turns out the conversation will certainly be very different.
https://www.basecamp.digital/event/udl-digital-talk-mit-bundesminister-volker-wissing/
+++ FUN FACT +++
New conspiracy theory: Where did the hand with the disposable cup come from on this photo from the tour? Our cover photo today shows the icy cold hand from the Addams Family, bad Photoshop, or some sneaky grab for the Sion. Any pertinent information is requested.
The photo can be found in the tour picture gallery
https://sonomotors.com/de/events/#&gid=1&pid=3
https://sonomotors.com/site/assets/files/10528/dsc08075.jpg
Have a nice week, stay healthy.
Sebastian, Astrid.