Sony Honda Joint Venture Afeela EV Pre-Production Begins

On August 13, the joint venture brand Afeela by Sony and Honda announced that its first electric vehicle has entered pre-production, with the first vehicles expected to be delivered in mid-2026 in Japan and California. Sony Honda Mobility has commenced pre-production of the Afeela EV at its East Liberty plant in Ohio, marking the vehicle's entry into the final testing phase before mass production. The initial batch of vehicles will be used to validate the overall vehicle performance and system stability, paving the way for official delivery. They will first be launched in Japan and California, with subsequent expansion to other states.

The Afeela 1 is positioned in the luxury electric sedan market, offering two configurations: the Origin version priced at $89,900 and the Signature version at $102,900. Both versions come with a three-year free subscription for essential services, including AFEELA Smart Driving L2+ ADAS, immersive entertainment, and AFEELA personal assistant. The vehicle is equipped with a large number of smart hardware components, including 40 sensors covering LiDAR, ultrasonic, and multi-angle cameras. In terms of power, the Afeela 1 features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout with a maximum output of 480 horsepower and is equipped with a 91 kWh battery pack, offering a range of approximately 300 miles on a single charge. It supports up to 150 kW DC fast charging. The vehicle’s electronic architecture is driven by a high-performance ECU, enabling intelligent management of the entire vehicle. The cabin features an ultra-wide central control screen integrated with Sony's audio-visual entertainment ecosystem, with digital side mirrors replacing traditional optical mirrors to enhance the technological feel and aerodynamic performance.