Sony and Honda have abruptly ended their collaboration on the Afeela electric vehicle, halting development of its first two models. The companies announced they would discontinue work on the Afeela 1, originally planned for a late 2026 launch, and the anticipated Afeela 2 SUV, opting instead to reassess their business strategy. While the joint venture Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) remains legally intact for now, insiders suggest its future is highly uncertain.
The Afeela 1 was more than a concept – it featured integrations like PlayStation Remote Play, an AI assistant, and videoconferencing capabilities, targeting a tech-savvy audience with a starting price of $89,000 in the U.S. Its recent CES showcase hinted that production was imminent. Despite this momentum, challenges in the broader electric vehicle market and shifting priorities at both companies appear to have stalled the project.
Afeela electric vehicle features and pricing
- Planned models: Afeela 1 sedan and Afeela 2 SUV
- Starting price: $89,000 (Afeela 1, U.S. market)
- Key features: PlayStation Remote Play, AI assistant, videoconferencing
- Original launch target: Late 2026
Honda recently canceled several other EV models unrelated to Afeela, signaling a broader strategic shift away from certain electric vehicle investments. The fate of SHM, the joint venture created to pursue innovative EVs blending Sony’s entertainment technology and Honda’s automotive expertise, remains uncertain. Official statements promise forthcoming updates but offer little clarity.
Challenges in electric vehicle development for Sony and Honda
This cancellation highlights the difficulties automakers face balancing ambition with the costs and risks of electric vehicle development, especially when entering competitive segments dominated by established players. Even collaborations between major companies with complementary strengths are vulnerable to market pressures. Whether Sony and Honda will pursue electric vehicle plans together or separately in the future remains uncertain, but for now, the Afeela brand is discontinued.