Sono Group N.V. Announces Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report and Corporate Update
Sono Group N.V. (OTC: SEVCF) has released its financial results for 2023, showing significant progress and stability. The company has secured funding to support operations through June 2025. Key achievements include a 92% reduction in cash outflow from operating activities and a decrease in total losses from €183.7 million in 2022 to €53.6 million in 2023. Sono's Solar Bus Kit won the Busplaner Innovation Award, emphasizing its market potential. The company successfully emerged from self-administration proceedings and expects to commence trading on OTCQB in July 2024. Leadership changes have been made to strengthen governance and operational efficiency, with George O'Leary appointed as CEO and CFO.
- Funding secured to support operations through June 2025.
- 92% reduction in cash outflow from operating activities, from €139.6 million in 2022 to €11.2 million in 2023.
- Decrease in total loss from €183.7 million in 2022 to €53.6 million in 2023.
- Solar Bus Kit won the Busplaner Innovation Award.
- Successful emergence from self-administration proceedings.
- Expected commencement of trading on OTCQB in July 2024.
- None.
Insights
Sono Group N.V.'s financial update paints a picture of significant turnaround. The 92% reduction in cash outflow from operating activities, falling from
The company's emergence from self-administration is pivotal, likely enhancing investor confidence by showcasing resilience and capability for restructuring efficiently. The successful investment deal with Yorkville, securing funding through June 2025, further solidifies financial stability, providing a buffer for continued operations and strategic growth efforts.
Retail investors should note that while fiscal improvements are significant, Sono's restructuring phase still presents inherent risks, such as the reliance on projected financial recuperations post-insolvency. It's vital to monitor how these projections align with actual financial performance in the subsequent periods. The confirmation of trading on the OTCQB in July 2024 will potentially increase liquidity and market visibility for investors.
Sono’s shift towards a B2B solar solutions business model is strategic, targeting a niche yet expanding market. The Solar Bus Kit’s recognition with the Busplaner Innovation Award highlights its potential and could drive significant market acceptance. This award not only boosts the product’s credibility but also enhances Sono's positioning in the renewable energy sector, which is gaining traction amid global sustainability trends.
Investors should be aware of the broader market dynamics, including the increasing demand for clean energy solutions and potential competition within the solar technology space. Sono’s ability to capitalize on this niche will depend on their continued innovation and execution of their business strategy, especially in maintaining product differentiation and scaling production efficiently.
The strategic changes in Sono’s management and supervisory board are noteworthy. Appointing George O'Leary as the sole Managing Director, CEO and CFO centralizes leadership, potentially improving decision-making efficiency and accountability. Additionally, the appointment of industry veterans in the supervisory and managing director roles brings valuable expertise, important for navigating the competitive landscape of solar mobility and enhancing operational capabilities.
This strengthened leadership could be instrumental in driving the company’s growth and innovation. However, retail investors should consider the risks associated with recent executive changes, such as the time needed for new leaders to fully integrate and execute their strategic vision effectively.
- Funding secured to fuel growth through June 2025.
- Ongoing delivery of projects and prototypes to both existing and new customers.
- Solar Bus Kit wins Busplaner Innovation Award highlighting its significant potential.
- Commitment to a capital-light business model: Achieved a
92% reduction in cash outflow from operating activities, from€139.6 million in 2022 to€11.2 million in 2023. Total loss for the period was over three times lower, a decrease from€183.7 million in 2022 to€53.6 million in 2023. - Sono Motors’ successful emergence from self-administration proceedings.
- Sono's self-administration proceedings concluded following the court's confirmation of the restructuring plan.
- Expected commencement of trading Sono shares on OTCQB in July 2024.
MUNICH, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sono Group N.V. (OTC: SEVCF) (hereafter referred to as “Sono” or the “Company”, parent company to Sono Motors GmbH or “Sono Motors”), the solar technology company, announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
“2023 was a transformative year for Sono. Sono Motors’ successful emergence from self-administration proceedings, together with the crucial investment secured by Sono, have positioned us for growth. We believe that we now have the team, expertise, technology, capital, and customer interest to execute our business plan and realize the potential of our flagship product,” said George O’Leary, Managing Director, CEO and CFO of Sono Group N.V.
2023 and Recent Business Updates
- Strategic Pivot to B2B Solar Solutions: Sono Motors pivoted its business model to concentrate exclusively on B2B solar solutions. Our flagship product, the Solar Bus Kit, embodies our commitment to sustainable innovation.
- Secured Investment and Financial Stability: In November 2023, Sono secured an investment deal with YA II PN Ltd. ("Yorkville"), providing essential funding to support our operations through June 2025. This financial backing has been pivotal in stabilizing our business and supporting our strategic initiatives to grow the business. The Company has access to approximately
€11 million in total funding (€2 million in cash balance and up to€9 million in additional funding, of which€4 million were received in February 2024), sufficient to support operations through June 2025. - Operational Highlights and Market Recognition: Throughout 2023, we continued to deliver projects and prototypes to both existing and new customers. Notably, our Solar Bus Kit, customized for a partner’s e-bus, was honored with the Busplaner Innovation Award, underscoring its potential and market acceptance. We believe that this recognition helps validate our technology and enhances our market credibility and customer confidence.
- Management and Governance Enhancements: We have strengthened our leadership team with strategic changes in our management and supervisory board, positioning Sono for continued growth and operational excellence. George O'Leary was appointed as the sole Managing Director, CEO, and CFO of Sono Group N.V. David Dodge and Christopher Schreiber joined the Supervisory Board. In early 2024, solar mobility pioneers Jan Schiermeister and Denis Azhar were appointed as new Managing Directors of Sono Motors. We expect their extensive experience in the bus, truck, and automotive industries to help bolster the development and delivery of our core products.
- Shareholder Value and Transparency: Looking ahead, we are excited about the expected commencement of trading Sono shares on OTCQB in July 2024.
Financial Highlights
- Reduced Cash Outflow from Operating Activities: In 2023, we transitioned to a capital-light business model. This approach has dramatically reduced our cash outflow from operating activities by
92% , from€139.6 million in 2022 to€11.2 million in 2023 - Decreased Total Loss: Our total loss for the period decreased more than threefold, from
€183.7 million in 2022 to€53.6 million in 2023. This substantial reduction reflects our successful efforts in cost management. The vast majority of this loss represents non-cash loss due to deconsolidation related to self-administration proceedings, most of which is expected to be recaptured in 2024 as a result of our emergence from insolvency and reconsolidation of the group. - Investment Inflow and Financial Stability: The successful investment deal with Yorkville has significantly bolstered our financial stability. Proceeds from Yorkville’s investment are expected to support our business operations through June 2025.
ABOUT SONO GROUP N.V.
SONO GROUP N.V. is the public holding company of Sono Motors, currently quoted on the OTC market under the symbol SEVCF. Following the Company's filing of its Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2023, Sono Group N.V. expects to have its ordinary shares admitted to trading on the OTCQB in July 2024.
CONTACT
Press:
press@sonomotors.com | www.sonomotors.com/press
Investors:
ir@sonomotors.com | ir.sonomotors.com
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "aim", "forecast", "project", "target", “will” and similar expressions (or their negative) identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are statements regarding the intentions, beliefs, or current expectations of the Company and Sono Motors. Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and could cause the companies’ actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to: our ability to access the unfunded portion of the investment from Yorkville, including our ability to successfully comply with the agreements related thereto and the absence of any termination event or any event of default; our ability to maintain relationships with creditors, suppliers, service providers, customers, employees and other third parties in light of the performance and credit risks associated with our constrained liquidity position and capital structure; the Company’s status as a foreign private issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; the Company’s ability to have its shares admitted to trading on OTCQB and to comply with OTCQB continuing standards, as well as its ability to have its shares admitted to trading on a stock exchange in the future; our ability to achieve our stated goals; our strategies, plan, objectives and goals, including, among others, the successful implementation and management of the pivot of the companies’ business to exclusively retrofitting and integrating their solar technology onto third party vehicles and the successful development, launch of sales and delivery of the Solar Bus Kit; our ability to raise the additional funding required beyond the investment from Yorkville to further develop and commercialize their solar technology and business as well as to continue as a going concern. For additional information concerning some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on June 21, 2024, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.sonomotors.com. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the actions of courts, regulatory authorities and other factors. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the companies assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
INCOME STATEMENT
| €k | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 |
| Revenue | 42 | 229 | 16 |
| Cost of sales | (70) | (392) | (58) |
| Gross income(loss) | (28) | (163) | (42) |
| Cost of research and development | (15,784) | (158,479) | (40,609) |
| Selling and distribution costs | (1,110) | (3,558) | (3,220) |
| General and administrative expenses | (13,204) | (20,023) | (15,094) |
| Other operating income/expenses | (61,835) | 842 | (183) |
| Deconsolidation gain | 40,122 | - | - |
| Impairment loss on financial assets | 1 | 5 | (6) |
| Operating income(loss) | (51,838) | (181,376) | (59,154) |
| Interest and similar income | 8,427 | 999 | - |
| Interest and similar expense | (10,149) | (3,321) | (4,781) |
| INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAX | (53,560) | (183,698) | (63,935) |
| Tax on income and earnings | - | - | - |
| Income (loss) after tax | (53,560) | (183,698) | (63,953) |
| Income (loss) for the period | (53,560) | (183,698) | (63,953) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | - | - | 16 |
| TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD | (53,560) | (183,698) | (63,937) |
| Earnings per shares for income(loss) attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company: | |||
| BASIC/DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE IN EUR | (0.50) | (2.21) | (1.07) |
BALANCE SHEET
| €k | FY 2023 | FY 2022 |
| ASSETS | ||
| Intangible assets | - | 3 |
| Property, plant, and equipment | - | 667 |
| Right-of-use assets | - | 790 |
| Other financial assets | 1,037 | 158 |
| Other non-financial assets | - | 73 |
| Noncurrent assets | 1,037 | 1,691 |
| Work in progress | - | 73 |
| Other financial assets | 156 | 1,134 |
| Other non-financial assets | 266 | 24,215 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7,412 | 30,357 |
| Current assets | 7,834 | 55,779 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 8,871 | 57,470 |
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||
| Subscribed capital | 10,840 | 9,957 |
| Capital reserve | 287,926 | 277,308 |
| Accumulated deficit | (384,338) | (330,778) |
| Equity | (85,572) | (43,513) |
| Advance payments received from customers | - | 49,288 |
| Financial liabilities | 987 | 4,649 |
| Other non-financial liabilities | - | 469 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | 987 | 54,406 |
| Advance payments received from customers | - | 354 |
| Financial liabilities | 38,102 | 30,225 |
| Trade and other payables | 1,491 | 11,699 |
| Other liabilities | 3 | 1,823 |
| Provisions | 53,860 | 2,476 |
| Current liabilities | 93,456 | 46,577 |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 8,871 | 57,470 |
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
| €k | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 |
| Income (loss) after tax | (53,560) | (183,698) | (63,953) |
| Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment | 29 | 284 | 125 |
| Impairment of property, plant, and equipment | 3,842 | 39,264 | 1,965 |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 78 | 462 | 415 |
| Impairment of right-of-use assets | - | 1,748 | - |
| Amortization of intangible assets | - | 68 | 34 |
| Impairment of intangible assets | - | 170 | - |
| Expenses for share based payment transaction | (572) | 1,447 | 1,981 |
| Deconsolidation gain | (40,122) | - | - |
| Other non-cash (income)/expenses | 6,280 | (665) | 112 |
| Interest and similar income | (8,427) | (999) | - |
| Interest and similar expense | 10,149 | 3,321 | 4,781 |
| Movements in provisions | 51,814 | 274 | 2,091 |
| Decrease/(Increase) in other assets | 4,805 | (6,773) | (3,760) |
| Increase in trade and other payables | 16,916 | 2,521 | 5,218 |
| (Decrease)/Increase in advances received from customers | (2,349) | 3,240 | 4,286 |
| Interest paid | (49) | (251) | (436) |
| NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (11,166) | (139,587) | (47,141) |
| Deconsolidation of Subsidiary cash balance | (7,481) | - | - |
| Purchase of intangible assets | - | (35) | (223) |
| Purchase of property, plant, and equipment | (3,842) | (47,203) | (1,429) |
| NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (11,323) | (47,238) | (1,652) |
| Transaction costs on issue of shares to institutional investors | - | - | (17) |
| Proceeds from issue of shares to institutional investors | - | - | 1,500 |
| Transaction cost on issue of shares in IPO | - | - | (2,690) |
| Proceeds from issues of shares in IPO | - | - | 142,334 |
| Transaction costs on issue of shares from public offering | - | (842) | - |
| Proceeds from issue of shares on public offering | - | 39,346 | - |
| Transaction costs on issue of shares from committed equity facility | - | (771) | - |
| Proceeds from issue of shares on committed equity facility | - | 17,254 | - |
| Proceeds from issue of shares on stock option scheme | 6 | 25 | - |
| Proceeds from convertible debentures | - | 28,453 | - |
| Transaction costs for convertible debentures | - | (28) | - |
| Repayment of borrowings | - | - | (2,187) |
| Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities | (256) | (429) | (378) |
| NET CASH (USED IN)/FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (250) | 83,008 | 138,562 |
| NET (DECREASE) / INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (22,739) | (103,817) | 89,769 |
| Effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalent | (206) | 1,235 | (94) |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR | 30,357 | 132,939 | 43,264 |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR | 7,412 | 30,357 | 132,939 |
FAQ
What financial achievements did Sono Group (SEV) report for 2023?
Has Sono Group (SEV) secured funding for future operations?
What notable award did Sono's Solar Bus Kit receive?
When is Sono Group (SEV) expected to commence trading on OTCQB?
What strategic business model shift did Sono Group (SEV) make in 2023?
What changes were made to Sono Group's (SEV) leadership in 2023?
