Triton brings the challenge to competitors
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
- Product News
- 21 November 2024
German company, Sono Motors, announced late in February that the group was abandoning the development of a solar-powered passenger vehicle.
The Sono Group was one of three companies aggressively pursuing the development of a solar-powered passenger vehicle, the other two being Southern California-based Aptera Motors, and Dutch company, Lightyear.
The company announced that was pivoting to a business that aimed to sell its solar vehicle technology to other companies and in the light of the decision, laid off 300 employees.
In a statement Sono Motors said: “The Company’s solar solutions, including hardware such as power electronics and software, are already in application today, with 23 B2B customers across Europe, Asia and the United States piloting Sono Motors’ integrated solar technology on a variety of vehicles, including third-party OEM cars, buses, refrigerated vehicles and recreational vehicles. Fleet operators can benefit from integrating Sono Motors’ technology to save fuel, costs and CO2, thereby contributing to the fight against climate change through a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Termination of the Sion programme reflects a decision to focus on a capital-light business model – an estimated 90% of the funding needs for 2023 were generated by the Sion programme – in light of depressed capital market conditions. Given the resource-intensive nature of the Sion programme, including personnel requirements, the Company is now implementing a significant cost reduction programme.
“This pivot marks a significant step in Sono Motors’ business development," said Laurin Hahn, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors. “Even though we had to terminate our original passion project, the Sion programme, shifting our entire focus to business-to-business solar solutions provides us with an opportunity to continue to create innovative products in the solar space. It was a difficult decision, and despite more than 45,000 reservations and pre-orders for the Sion programme, we were compelled to react to the ongoing financial market instability and streamline our business.”
Sono Motors is currently working as a development-partner and supplier to companies across ten countries in Europe, Asia and the United States. Customers include Mitsubishi Europe, CHEREAU, and two Volkswagen subsidiaries – Scania and MAN Truck & Bus. Talks with potential investors will now exclusively focus on solar technology.
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
JAC Motors added ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to its X200 2.8L TDI 1.5-tonne single-cab, enhancing safety for both the crew and cargo. This latest upgrade complements the ABS-equipped X200 1.3-tonne double-cab targeted at organisations with labour-intensive crews.
Advertisement
Advertisement
If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey
Leading used car trader, WeBuyCars, which listed on the JSE in April this year, is expanding its business focus to include third party sales and is rapidly expanding its vehicle supermarket and buying pods presence in South Africa.
The Isuzu Foundation, in collaboration with IRONMAN4theKidz, donated R250 000 to three Mossel Bay charities dedicated to uplifting vulnerable youth, families and individuals in need.
Hino South Africa has handed over four mobile offices to the Gauteng Government Roads and Transport Department, which are to be used as Smart Driving Licensing Testing Centres by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).