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Eve (EVEX) - 2022 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
EVEXEve (EVEX)2023-03-16 18:02

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net loss of $20 million for Q4 2022 and a total loss of $174 million for the year, with nonrecurring costs related to warrants and IPO expenses amounting to $111 million, resulting in a recurring loss of $63 million for 2022 [21][97][102] - Total liquidity at the end of Q4 2022 was $311 million, down from $330 million in Q3 2022, but with additional credit lines, total liquidity exceeds $400 million, sufficient to fund operations through 2025 [82][116] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has a diversified backlog with nonbinding letters of intent (LOIs) for 2,770 aircraft from 26 customers across 12 countries, indicating strong long-term revenue visibility [9] - R&D investments totaled $18 million in Q4 2022 and $52 million for the full year, primarily focused on eVTOL development and Urban Air Traffic Management systems [97] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is leveraging Embraer's existing infrastructure and skilled workforce, which helps reduce development costs and enhances operational efficiency [98] - The eVTOL market is evolving, with a shift from hype to a more mature phase, leading to potential consolidations and a focus on a smaller number of viable projects [54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enter service in 2026, with a focus on optimizing aircraft design and reducing development costs through rigorous testing and supplier engagement [7][92] - The strategy includes developing a complete solution encompassing aircraft, maintenance, and air traffic control, addressing the broader Urban Air Mobility ecosystem [81][98] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the liquidity position and the ability to fund R&D and certification efforts through 2025, emphasizing a strategic approach to customer engagement and market readiness [63][102] - The company is actively engaged with existing customers to refine operational concepts and ensure market readiness for eVTOL deployment [43] Other Important Information - The company has initiated its Type Certification process with ANAC and plans to follow with FAA certification, which is expected to be more efficient due to a bilateral agreement [93] - The Urban Air Traffic Management software is being developed concurrently, with early versions already deployed for testing with potential customers [79][48] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current demand environment for new orders? - The company continues its sales campaign and is actively engaging with existing customers to understand operational needs, while also exploring new customer opportunities [43] Question: When can the company start collecting predelivery payments (PDPs)? - The company anticipates starting to see PDPs in 2024, with expectations for increased collections in 2025 and 2026 as the certification milestones are achieved [65][66] Question: How is the supplier selection process progressing? - The company is in the process of finalizing supplier selections for critical components, which will provide clearer visibility on costs and enable the firming of orders [106][112] Question: What is the expected timeline for certification testing? - The certification flight test campaign is expected to take around 18 months, with the company not disclosing specific dates to ensure safety and compliance [127] Question: How does the company view the competitive landscape in the eVTOL market? - Management noted that the industry is moving beyond the initial hype phase, with a focus on a smaller number of viable projects and potential consolidations [54]