Sony and Honda Cancel Development of the Afeela 1 Electric Sedan
The Afeela 1 was supposed to go on sale this year, but Honda’s decision to cancel its own EV plans is also killing the car from its joint venture with Sony.
By Caleb MillerPublished: Mar 25, 2026
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2026 afeela ev sedan
Sony Honda Mobility
Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between the two Japanese companies, announced that it was canceling the development of the Afeela 1.
The move, which also halts work on its second model, an SUV, follows Honda’s decision earlier this month to cancel the launch of three EVs that were supposed to be built in the United States.
Sony Honda Mobility is refunding everyone who had paid a fee to reserve an Afeela 1 ahead of its planned launch, initially only in California, this year.
When Honda announced earlier this month that it was canceling plans to build three EVs on an all-new platform in the United States, we immediately assumed this spelled disaster for Afeela. The joint venture between Sony and Honda aimed to build an electric sedan in the same Honda factory in Ohio, but the company initially said it was “operating as usual.” Now, however, Sony Honda Mobility has confirmed what we had suspected: the development and launch of the Afeela 1 sedan has been discontinued.\n\nFor Sale Near You\nSee all results for new 2026 Afeela 1 for sale near 634720\n\nSony Honda Mobility\nSony Honda Mobility had also announced a second Afeela model at CES 2026, an SUV that essentially looked like a high-riding version of the company’s electric sedan and was due out in 2028. In its official statement, Sony Honda Mobility said it was also stopping development of this model.\n\nSony Honda Mobility said the decision to suspend work on its two planned vehicles came after discussions between the two parties, Sony and Honda. The company said that Honda’s decision to backtrack on EVs means Afeela will not be able to use \”certain technologies and assets that were originally planned to be provided by Honda,\” and that therefore, Sony Honda Mobility \”determined that it does not have a viable path forward to bring the Models to market as originally planned.\”\n\nThe Afeela 1 was first revealed at CES 2023 in prototype form, with the official production specification shown at CES 2025 ahead of planned production by mid-2026. Despite having the backing of two major technological forces, the Afeela 1’s spec sheet disappointed. The dual-motor powertrain, expected to be provided by Honda, was good for over 400 horsepower—not too shabby but nothing mind-blowing—while the estimated range was only expected to be around 300 miles, a middling figure made more disappointing by the Afeela’s starting price of $89,900 for the base Origin trim or $102,900 for the Signature trim.\n\nSony Honda Mobility\nIt also didn’t help that the Afeela 1 looked like it was designed to be in the background of a video game. Sony Honda Mobility pitched the Afeela 1’s selling point as its advanced driver-assistance systems and powerful onboard computer, but we’re not sure how much that would’ve moved the needle given the bland styling and so-so performance figures.\n\nWhile this move effectively sounds like a death sentence for the venture, the company said it \”will continue discussions with Sony and Honda regarding its future business plans.\” Still, Sony Honda Mobility will provide full refunds of the reservation fees for anyone who had plunked down the cash to grab a spot for an Afeela 1, so it seems fairly certain that the joint venture won’t produce anything soon, if ever.\n\nThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.\n\nSony and Honda Call It Quits on the Afeela 1 EV Sedan\nAfter a flash of hype and a dash of intrigue, the ambitious joint venture between a gaming giant and an automotive titan has been shelved, leaving a void in the premium EV landscape.\n\nBy Caleb MillerPublished: Mar 25, 2026\nSave Article\n2026 afeela ev sedan\nSony Honda Mobility\nSony Honda Mobility, the brainchild of a partnership between two Japanese powerhouses, has officially pulled the plug on the Afeela 1 electric sedan. This development marks a significant pivot for the joint venture, which had previously showcased a production-ready concept at CES 2025, signaling a serious intent to disrupt the burgeoning EV market.\n\nThe cancellation extends beyond the flagship sedan; Sony Honda Mobility’s second planned model, a sleek SUV, has also been shelved. This strategic retreat comes on the heels of a major announcement from Honda, which decided earlier this month to scrap its plans for three new EV models slated for production in the United States. The implications of Honda’s U-turn have rippled through the industry, and for the Afeela brand, it appears to have been a decisive factor.\n\nCustomers who had eagerly placed reservations for the Afeela 1 are now being contacted for full refunds. The initial launch was slated for this year, with a targeted market rollout in California. This abrupt halt raises questions about the future of the partnership and its ability to deliver on its lofty promises. The Afeela 1, once a symbol of tech-meets-auto innovation, now joins a growing list of EV projects that have faltered in the face of evolving market dynamics and technological hurdles.\n\nWhen Honda unveiled its decision to pivot away from its planned EV lineup, including the cancellation of three EVs intended for its Ohio plant, the automotive world took notice. Initially, the Afeela joint venture maintained a stance of operational continuity. However, the recent confirmation from Sony Honda Mobility suggests that Honda’s strategic shift has cast a long shadow over the Afeela project, leading to the discontinuation of the Afeela 1 sedan and its anticipated sibling.\n\nFor Sale Near You\nSee all results for new 2026 Afeela 1 for sale near 634720\n\nSony Honda Mobility\nAdding to the shakeup, Sony Honda Mobility had also unveiled plans for a second Afeela model at CES 2026. This SUV, envisioned as a higher-riding counterpart to the sedan, was penciled in for a 2028 release. However, in its official statement, Sony Honda Mobility confirmed that development on this model is also being suspended. The synergy that once seemed so promising between Sony’s entertainment and tech prowess and Honda’s automotive engineering expertise has encountered significant headwinds.\n\nIn a detailed announcement, Sony Honda Mobility attributed the decision to a series of strategic discussions between the parent companies. The crux of the issue appears to be the revised capabilities and offerings from Honda. With Honda backing away from certain planned EV technologies and assets, the joint venture determined that it no longer possessed the necessary building blocks to bring the Afeela models to market as originally envisioned. This highlights the critical interdependence of the partnership and the fragility of high-stakes collaborations in a rapidly evolving industry.\n\nThe Afeela 1 first emerged as a concept at CES 2023, capturing attention with its futuristic design and the pedigree of its creators. A more refined production-spec version followed at CES 2025, with a target production date of mid-2026. Despite the combined might of Sony and Honda, the vehicle’s specifications presented a mixed bag. The dual-motor powertrain, expected to draw from Honda’s engineering, was projected to deliver over 400 horsepower, a respectable figure but one that hardly set it apart in a market increasingly populated by high-performance EVs. Moreover, the estimated range of around 300 miles placed it in the mid-tier category, particularly when juxtaposed with its premium pricing.\n\nSony Honda Mobility\nThe exterior styling of the Afeela 1, while clean, was widely perceived as understated to the point of being forgettable. Sony Honda Mobility had banked heavily on the Afeela 1’s advanced driver-assistance systems and powerful onboard computing capabilities as its key differentiators. However, in a saturated market, such technological features alone may not be enough to sway discerning buyers, especially when the overall package lacks a compelling design narrative and cutting-edge performance metrics.\n\nWhile the cancellation of the Afeela 1 and its SUV sibling may signal the end of the road for the current iteration of the joint venture, the company has indicated that discussions regarding its future business plans will continue. This leaves the door ajar for potential restructuring or a shift in strategy. For those who had committed to a reservation, the prospect of a full refund provides a measure of financial protection, but the disappointment of a missed opportunity for a unique EV collaboration remains palpable.\n\nThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.\n\nSony and Honda Cancel Development of the Afeela 1 Electric Sedan\nThe Afeela 1 was supposed to go on sale this year, but Honda’s decision to cancel its own EV plans is also killing the car from its joint venture with Sony.\n\nBy Caleb MillerPublished: Mar 25, 20
