Honda’s recent decision to cancel three upcoming electric vehicles in the United States has created new uncertainty for the Afeela electric sedan developed through its joint venture with Sony. The Sony Honda Mobility partnership says operations continue as normal, but the future of the project is now under review.
The move follows Honda’s announcement that it would scrap three EV models that were close to entering production in the U.S., the 0 SUV, 0 Sedan, and the Acura RSX. The cancellation has sent shockwaves through the industry and raised questions about the fate of other projects tied to Honda’s EV strategy.
One of those projects is the Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) joint venture, created in 2022 by Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Company to develop battery-electric vehicles under the Afeela brand.
With Honda stepping back from its EV rollout in North America, the future of the Afeela 1 electric sedan is now uncertain. The vehicle entered pre-production in August 2025 at Honda’s East Liberty manufacturing plant in Ohio.
In a statement provided to The Drive, Sony Honda Mobility acknowledged Honda’s decision and confirmed that both parent companies will discuss how the move could affect the joint venture and its upcoming products.
“Sony Honda Mobility is aware of Honda Motor’s decision to pause its EV business in North America. Our parent companies, Sony Group Corporation and Honda, will hold discussions on how this affects SHM, therefore there is no more information that we can speak to at this moment. We are operating as usual. We will keep you informed when we have more news.“
The statement suggests the company currently lacks a clear contingency plan while awaiting direction from the two parent companies.
The Afeela 1 luxury electric sedan is designed to compete with premium EVs such as the Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, BMW i5, and Mercedes-Benz EQE. However, the model is built on the same platform that was intended for Honda’s canceled 0 Sedan and 0 SUV. Production was also expected to take place near Honda’s Marysville facility, where the now-canceled Honda and Acura EVs were originally scheduled to be built.
Even if Honda remains bound by contractual obligations to Sony, it remains uncertain whether the company will continue investing heavily in the 0 Series platform after canceling three vehicles based on the same architecture.
Honda has already indicated it expects to absorb a $15.7 billion financial hit from canceling the EV projects late in development. It is still unclear whether that figure includes costs related to the Afeela 1 program.
Despite the uncertainty, the Afeela 1 program appears to be further along in development than Honda’s canceled EVs. According to Sony Honda Mobility’s website, deliveries of the first customer vehicles are scheduled to begin in California before the end of this year with the launch of the Afeela 1 Signature model. A more affordable variant, the Afeela 1 Origin, is planned to follow in 2027.
The company has also hinted at future expansion of the lineup. During CES 2026, Sony Honda Mobility showcased a crossover SUV prototype that could serve as a potential second model in the Afeela range.
The Afeela 1 is positioned as a technology-focused electric sedan and has been described as a “rolling entertainment hub.” The vehicle integrates Sony’s gaming and audio technology, including PlayStation connectivity and a 28-speaker sound system. Its interior features a full-width digital dashboard with 3D mapping and immersive media capabilities, along with an AI-powered personal assistant.
Advanced driver-assistance technology is also a key feature. The sedan is designed to support AI-driven Level 3 autonomous driving functions and uses a system of 40 sensors, including cameras, radar, and LiDAR, to monitor its surroundings.
Performance specifications include a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain producing roughly 500 horsepower. The sedan is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 4.2 seconds. Energy is supplied by a 91-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a targeted EPA-estimated driving range of around 300 miles.
Pricing for the vehicle starts at $89,900 for the Afeela 1 Origin model, while the higher-end Afeela 1 Signature version is priced from $102,900.
After six years of development, the Afeela 1 remains one of Sony’s most ambitious moves into the automotive industry. However, Honda’s recent shift in EV strategy has placed the project in a difficult position, leaving its long-term future uncertain. Industry observers say the outcome of discussions between Sony and Honda will likely determine whether the Afeela program moves forward as planned or faces significant changes.
