Sony-Honda's Afeela EV Now Available for Pre-order in US, Starting at 14 Million JPY
Afeela by Sony
Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) has officially begun accepting pre-orders in the United States for its highly anticipated electric vehicle, the Afeela 1. The announcement came during a press conference at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where SHM Chairman Yasuhide Mizuno revealed the sedan's starting price of $89,900 (approximately 14.23 million yen).
From Prototype to Pre-orders
The journey of Afeela began at CES 2023 with the unveiling of its prototype. Now, two years later, the company is moving forward with its sales strategy, offering pre-orders exclusively through their website. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2026, with plans to expand sales to the Japanese market following the US launch.
Advanced Technology Integration
The Afeela 1 showcases the combined technological expertise of Sony and Honda through several key features:
Advanced autonomous driving capabilities, with systems supporting driving operations from departure to parking
Future plans for Level 4 autonomous driving implementation, enabling fully automated operation under specific conditions
Integration of Microsoft's conversational AI technology
High-quality entertainment systems supporting karaoke, movies, and gaming
Premium audio experience leveraging Sony's sound expertise
Looking Ahead
This launch represents a significant milestone in the collaboration between Sony and Honda, marking their official entry into the premium electric vehicle market. The Afeela brand aims to combine Honda's automotive excellence with Sony's technological innovation, creating a new category of smart, connected electric vehicles.
Customers interested in pre-ordering the Afeela 1 can now do so through the company's official website. With deliveries planned for 2026, this marks the beginning of Sony Honda Mobility's journey in the evolving electric vehicle landscape.
Note: This announcement was made at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, with Chairman Yasuhide Mizuno presenting the details ahead of the technology trade fair's official opening on January 7th (January 8th JST)
What is Sony Honda Mobility?
Pioneering the Future of Electric Vehicles
Company Formation and Background
Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) was established in 2022 as a strategic alliance between two Japanese industrial giants: Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This joint venture represents a unique combination of Honda's automotive manufacturing expertise and Sony's prowess in sensing, telecommunications, and entertainment technologies.
Corporate Structure
Founded: 2022
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Capital: 10 billion yen (approximately $67 million)
Ownership: 50-50 joint venture between Sony and Honda
Key Leaders:
Yasuhide Mizuno (Chairman and CEO, former Honda executive)
Izumi Kawanishi (President and COO, former Sony executive)
More about Afeela
https://www.shm-afeela.com/ja/news/2025-01-06_5/
