Sony wants its Afeela EV to be heavy on AI, also shows crossover

After announcing its entry into the automotive industry six years ago, Sony's plans are now taking shape with the production of the Afeela 1, an electric sedan developed in collaboration with Honda. Manufacturing is currently underway in Ohio, with customer deliveries set to begin later this year in California and expected to expand to Arizona and Japan by 2027. In an exciting reveal just before this year's Consumer Electronics Show, Sony showcased a crossover variant of the Afeela, emphasizing their commitment to integrating diverse technologies for a groundbreaking mobility experience. Yasuhide Mizuno, CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, stated, "The way we are fusing diverse technologies to deliver a completely novel mobility experience is not limited to a single model type." Sony first hinted at its automotive aspirations at CES 2020 with the Vision-S, primarily showcasing advanced sensors and infotainment systems. Since then, the electric vehicle market has surged, driven by the success of companies like Tesla and a growing global enthusiasm for EVs. While the American market has recently shown signs of uncertainty, excitement for EV innovation remains strong internationally, particularly in China, where tech firms are producing competitive electric vehicles with superior infotainment capabilities. In light of this competitive landscape, Sony's decision to partner with Honda in 2022 for the Afeela venture surprised many, as there were expectations that the company would collaborate with Magna, which assisted in developing the Vision-S. Additionally, at the previous CES, Sony unveiled an SUV version of the Vision-S, indicating its ambition to diversify its electric vehicle offerings.