If you’ve been looking forward to new and upcoming EVs, another option is now off the table.
For the past three-and-a-half years, Honda’s joint venture with Sony, officially known as Sony Honda Mobility, has been ceaselessly promoting the inevitable launch of its first model: the Afeela 1. Following the decision to can its own 0 Series EVs as well as the Acura RSX, however, the next domino has officially fallen. On Wednesday, SHM announced the end of the current venture, which means the cancellation of the Afeela project after several tech demos and the recent opening of another studio space in Beverly Hills.
“As a result of Honda’s reassessment of its automobile electrification strategy announced on March 12, 2026,” the joint company said in its formal statement, “SHM will not be able to utilize certain technologies and assets that were originally planned to be provided by Honda at the time of SHM’s initial business planning. In light of this change, SHM has determined that it does not have a viable path forward to bring the Models to market as originally planned.”
Specifically, the $89,990-plus Afeela 1 was supposed to be manufactured at Honda’s existing East Liberty, Ohio plant. The initial concept and subsequent models showcased Sony’s entertainment-focused expertise, pitching the concept of “Mobility as a Creative Entertainment Space.” The car’s driver assistance systems also borrow heavily from the gaming industry, using Unreal Engine to visualize the ADAS features and maps in the screen-heavy cabin.
So, what happens now? The announcement leaves the door open for some kind of cooperation (they note discussions regarding future business plans). If anything, much like the development of Honda’s ASIMO OS, a future partnership will probably lean toward the software side of the automotive industry, rather than building a full-on car to take on the likes of Tesla, Lucid and the veritable flood of Chinese competitors in the EV space.
If you were one of the folks who put down a $200 deposit on an Afeela 1, SHM says you will be refunded for your reservation fee.
