Sony and Honda give up on their joint EV project

Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture between Sony and Honda, has decided to abandon the development of its two “Afeela”-branded electric vehicles (EVs), including a sedan and an SUV. This decision follows Honda’s recent announcement to cancel three planned EV models for the U.S. market, a move attributed to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration and intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers. Sony Honda Mobility had intended to leverage Honda’s technologies and assets for the Afeela vehicles, but Honda’s strategic reversal has left the joint venture unable to proceed. The Afeela 1 sedan, which was slated for release later in 2024 with a starting price near $90,000, will not launch as planned. The future of the joint venture and its several hundred employees remains uncertain, with Sony and Honda stating they will continue discussions to determine the venture’s direction. The joint venture’s origins trace back to Sony’s 2020 unveiling of the Vision-S concept car, which showcased Sony