Honda’s push to shore up its finances claimed another electric vehicle casualty, the Afeela, which was to be built through a joint venture with electronics giant Sony.
Sony Honda Mobility Inc. came to life in September 2022 with the goal of producing a new, innovative EV, marrying Honda’s automotive know-how with Sony’s sensor and electronics expertise. Several prototypes were produced, but the venture never delivered a vehicle to a customer. It was slated to be built at Honda’s plant in East Liberty, Ohio.“Sony, Honda and SHM will continue to discuss and evaluate the future of SHM, taking into account the initial purpose of the JV establishment as well as the latest EV market environment, and intend to jointly announce SHM’s future direction, mid to long-term positioning as well as contributions to the future of mobility at the earliest possible opportunity,” according to the release issued by the companies.Honda noted it’s “reassessment of its automobile electrification strategy” earlier this month was the catalyst for the end of the partnership. The first Afeela 1 sedans were supposed to arrive later this year. The crossover model, which was set to come after that, was based on Honda’s 0 Series electric vehicles.
The 0 Series sedan and SUV, along with the Acura RSX, were cancelled as part of the effort to deal with potential $15.8 billion loss for Honda’s 2026 fiscal year. Honda officials noted that increased U.S. tariffs as well as waning demand — at the time — for EVs made the move a necessity. The company is also expected stop producing the Prologue, which it produced in concert with General Motors, at the end of the year. A sec …
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Author: Michael Strong
