After years of public announcements and concept presentations, Sony and Honda have officially canceled the Afeela electric vehicle project. The highly anticipated car will no longer enter production, with neither of its two planned models set to reach the market, effectively leaving it an unrealized concept.
The Sony Honda Mobility joint venture was initially established in 2022 with the specific goal of developing the Afeela 1 and Afeela 2 electric vehicle models. While the design work was spearheaded by Sony, manufacturing was intended to take place at Honda’s facilities. However, Honda has recently undertaken a comprehensive re-evaluation of its entire electric vehicle strategy.
Amidst a particularly challenging period, Honda has made the decision to discontinue several ongoing projects and restructure its future electric vehicle program. This strategic shift has ultimately led to the complete cancellation of the Afeela collaboration with Sony.
Neither of the Planned Models Will Be Produced
Sony’s initial foray into the automotive sector began with the unveiling of the Vision-S, a concept car presented in 2020. This vehicle was primarily a statement of intent, designed to pave the way for a more concrete project like Afeela.
The joint venture with Honda was formed in 2022 to bring the car to life, and the Afeela concept was showcased on multiple occasions throughout recent years, often described as an intriguing and forward-thinking vehicle.
However, despite the rapid expansion and significant advancements in the electric vehicle market, the Afeela project struggled to find a definitive path to production. It increasingly faced the risk of becoming technologically outdated even before its potential launch.
Severe financial difficulties recently experienced by Honda, including reported losses totaling $15 billion according to their latest financial statements, ultimately forced the company to make the drastic decision to scrap the entire project.
The Afeela had generated considerable excitement among gamers, as Sony had ambitious plans to integrate various PlayStation-derived features, such as compatibility with the DualSense controller and built-in Remote Play functionality.