Sponsor Email
Hello ____,
I hope you have been well and stayed safe during these times.
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As you know, we have been designing and manufacturing our thirteenth solar car vehicle, MS XIV and due , since late 2018. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended this project cycle until 2022, which is when the next American Solar Challenge will be held. We put in our best efforts to overcome the several challenges which included having limited access to our workbay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the navigation through knowledge transfer of members that transitioned into advisory positions due to graduation or otherwise.
To provide more background, the design for MS XIV was completed in late 2019 and once the pandemic hit in early 2020, we saw many of the designers step back from their lead positions. New members filled Newer members rose to the challenge to fill their shoes to commence manufacturing. However, we have experienced many difficulties due to the complexity of the manufacturing process, problem solving, and changes in design, in which the knowledge had not been properly handed off to the members who filled in the shoes of the previous leads.
Thus, we have made the difficult decision to terminate MS XIV and start fresh as a team. While we will not be attending the 2022 ASC with MS XIV, we will be taking the time to reflect on our learnings and put in our best efforts to design a vehicle that will once again, showcase the development and technical abilities of Midnight Sun’s students, and continue to push the boundaries of solar transportation.
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If you would like to discuss additional details behind this decision, we would be more than happy to have a call or further correspondence over email throughout the next few weeks.
Thank you again for your support and please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.