The Afeela 1 electric vehicle project, a joint venture between Sony and Honda, has been canceled.
The vehicle, initially unveiled as the Sony Vision S in 2020, aimed to integrate personal mobility with digital media. Its discontinuation reflects market shifts and challenges in the electric vehicle sector.
The Afeela 1 was priced at $100,000 and offered an estimated range of 300 miles. Competitors such as the Lucid Air offered greater range at a lower price point.
Geopolitical factors and a cooling market for electric vehicles, particularly in the U.S., contributed to the decision. Federal rebates and incentives for charging infrastructure were reduced.
The vehicle’s reliance on advanced autonomous driving features for its media integration also posed a challenge. Mass-market, eyes-off autonomous systems have not widely materialized as predicted in 2020.
Honda had expressed growing reservations about its U.S. EV strategy. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe stated last year that initial EV volumes would likely be lower than previously envisioned. Honda subsequently canceled its 0 Series EVs, which shared a developmental platform with the Afeela 1. This move effectivelyremoved the production basis for the Afeela 1.
Sony Honda Mobility said it “will continue discussions with Sony and Honda regarding its future business plans,” according to a press release on the cancellation.
