Japanese legacy automaker Honda and tech giant Sony, through their electric vehicle joint venture Afeela, plan to launch their first three battery-powered models before the end of the decade to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the US market.
Plan details
Sony Honda Mobility will first introduce the Afeela-branded electric sedan in 2025 ahead of its planned deliveries in the US by the following year, news outlet Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday.
The joint venture will then launch Afeela’s first-ever electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) in 2027, followed by an affordable compact EV in 2028 (or later). This planned model lineup is apparently part of the Japanese giants’ efforts to beat Tesla in its home market.
Afeela’s electric vehicle offerings will reportedly undergo production in North America as the Japanese partners seek to benefit from the federal tax credits of up to $7,500 in the US. Therefore, the new EVs may source the batteries from Honda and LG’s joint venture in Ohio.
What’s currently known about the model?
Sony Honda Mobility has yet to reveal more information about its planned electric vehicle lineup that seems to primarily aim at the US market.
“We continue to explore our future lineup. However, at this moment we cannot disclose anything apart from what has been announced so far.”
Sony Honda Mobility spokesperson
However, Sony Honda Mobility disclosed plans last January 2023 to launch an e-sedan by the end of 2025, followed by North American deliveries in early 2026.
At that time, the Japanese companies disclosed that the e-sedan would integrate OpenAI artificial intelligence (AI) technology in its in-car voice assistant. They further noted that the popular game software Unreal Engine 5 will power the in-car visuals of the surrounding detected by the e-sedan’s cameras, along with other advanced technologies.
As per the concept Sony Honda Mobility presented at the CES, the electric sedan features front and rear electric motors that generate a combined 241 horsepower. It also comes with a 91 kWh li-ion battery pack and Level 3 automated driving capabilities under limited conditions.
Unfortunately, there are no words yet about the Afeela-branded electric SUV and affordable compact car.
About Sony Honda Mobility
Sony and Honda founded the Sony Honda Mobility joint venture in 2022. The partnership leveraged the automaker’s carmaking/engineering expertise and Sony’s software and gaming background to produce competitive electric vehicle models under the Afeela brand.
The joint venture aims to start selling its first electric vehicle models in 2025, followed by deliveries in North America in 2026. The Japanese companies initially unveiled their first model prototype at the 56th Consumer Electronics Show, featuring a four-door electric sedan due in 2025.
