Japanese conglomerates Sony Group and Honda Motor Co. are gearing up to make a significant foray into the electric vehicle market with their joint venture, Afeela. The collaboration, announced in 2022 under the banner of Sony Honda Mobility, is poised to debut three electric vehicles by the late 2020s, marking a concerted effort to challenge established players like Tesla in the U.S.
The venture’s initial prototype, an advanced all-electric sedan, was unveiled at CES 2023, showcasing a blend of spacious interiors and cutting-edge technology. This sedan, slated for production in 2025, will be the flagship model under the Afeela brand. However, recent reports suggest that Afeela’s ambitions extend beyond the sedan segment.
According to sources familiar with the matter as reported by Nikkei, Afeela plans to introduce an SUV variant in 2027, followed by a compact electric vehicle in 2028 or later. These additions to the lineup aim to diversify Afeela’s offerings and cater to different market segments.
All three vehicles will share a common platform, a strategy aimed at optimizing production costs. While details on the SUV are scarce, sources indicate it will feature even more advanced technology compared to the sedan. On the other hand, the compact vehicle will prioritize affordability, drawing similarities in size to popular models like the Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Golf.
Interestingly, the compact vehicle will leverage components from Honda’s independent electric vehicle development efforts, suggesting a collaborative yet diversified approach within the Sony Honda partnership.
Sony Group’s involvement in the joint venture extends beyond hardware, with a focus on developing innovative technology solutions. Collaborations with industry giants like Microsoft aim to integrate conversational voice assistants powered by Sony’s AI technology. Moreover, the infotainment system, co-designed with Epic Games, promises gaming-inspired features such as ‘monster mode,’ catering to diverse consumer preferences.
While specifics on powertrain details remain limited, the Afeela sedan is expected to sport a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a robust performance of 483 hp through motors at each axle.
As the project progresses, Sony Honda Mobility continues to navigate the evolving landscape of electric mobility, aiming to carve a niche in the competitive automotive market with its Afeela brand.
