In June 2018 it was 5,000, in April 2021 it was already 13,000, and now it’s 20,000 – 20,000 pre-orders for the solar electric car Sion from Sono Motors. Private customer reservations come with an average down payment of around €2,000. According to the company, the net selling price is expected to be approximately €25,126.
Currently, Sono Motors is manufacturing a fleet of series validation vehicles in Munich near its headquarters for the already underway test program of the Sion. Over the coming months, this generation of vehicles will undergo real-world testing under extreme conditions both in Europe and the USA. This includes series validation, homologation, crash tests, tests in various climate zones, optimization of solar technology and its verification, as well as refinement of driving dynamics on test tracks and public roads.
Made in Uusikaupunki
The Munich mobility startup is pursuing an “asset-light” approach: Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2023 with contract manufacturer Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland. This eliminates the need to build its own production facilities. After a ramp-up phase, the partners aim to produce around 257,000 Sion vehicles within seven years.
Laurin Hahn, CEO and co-founder of Sono Motors, comments on the partnership with Valmet Automotive as follows:
“This collaboration is another milestone on our path to bringing the Sion to our growing community. We are convinced that working with such a reliable and experienced partner is ideal for getting the Sion on the road while maintaining the highest quality standards. We appreciate Valmet Automotive’s expertise in manufacturing premium vehicles and their proven track record in the field of e-mobility. Together, we are well positioned to keep our promise and deliver a climate-neutral Sion to our customers.”
