Technical

Srinivasa Reddy Kandi: Sony Honda Mobility Cancels Afeela EVs as Honda Shifts Strategy

March, 26, 2026-02:35

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Sony Honda Mobility Cancels Afeela EVs as Honda Shifts Strategy:

Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture between Sony and Honda, has officially abandoned its plans to produce the two Afeela-branded electric vehicles it had been developing over the past few years.
The decision follows Honda’s recent announcement to cancel three electric vehicle projects planned for the U.S., a move that could cost the automaker nearly $16 billion. Honda cited rising competition from China and tariffs imposed during the Trump administration as key factors influencing the strategic reversal.

Sony Honda Mobility said that it had intended to leverage Honda’s technologies and assets to support the production of the Afeela 1 sedan and an SUV. Honda’s shift in direction, however, made it impossible for the joint venture to continue development. The Afeela 1 sedan had been scheduled to launch later this year with a starting price around $90,000.

The future of the joint venture—and its several hundred employees in Tokyo and California—remains uncertain. In a statement, SHM said it will “continue to discuss and evaluate the future of the joint venture” and will provide updates on its mid- to long-term strategy as soon as possible.

Sony first showcased its automotive ambitions at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show with the Vision-S concept, a high-tech prototype featuring a dashboard-spanning screen, 360-degree audio, rear passenger displays, and 33 sensors. While initially seen as a demonstration of Sony’s electronics and entertainment capabilities, the Vision-S eventually led to the formal partnership with Honda, culminating in the Afeela sedan and SUV announcement in 2023.

Author: Kandi Srinivasa Reddy, Srinivasa Reddy Kandi, #KandiSrinivasaReddy, #SrinivasaReddyKandi