Sony Honda Mobility
A Sony–Honda joint venture developing software-oriented battery-electric vehicles under the Afeela brand.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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History
Sony Honda Mobility developed from Sony’s efforts to demonstrate how its technology could be applied to future vehicles. At CES 2020, Sony introduced the Vision-S, an electric sedan prototype equipped with imaging and sensing technologies. Sony presented the vehicle not only as an automobile concept but also as a platform for demonstrating artificial intelligence, telecommunications, cloud connectivity, and software features that could be updated over time. The original sedan was later referred to as the Vision-S 01. At CES 2022, Sony expanded the concept family with the Vision-S 02, an electric sport-utility vehicle. Around the same period, Sony and Honda began exploring a deeper strategic relationship. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2022 to investigate a partnership covering mobility and related services. Sony subsequently created Sony Mobility Inc. in April 2022 as an internal mobility-services arm. In June, the companies announced that their planned joint venture would be called Sony Honda Mobility Inc. The joint venture was formally announced at a press conference on October 13, 2022. Yasuhide Mizuno, who had previously led Honda’s China operations, was appointed to lead the new company. Sony Honda Mobility framed its mission in terms of a software-oriented mobility technology business rather than a traditional vehicle manufacturer. Honda contributed automotive development, manufacturing, quality, and mobility expertise, while Sony’s proposed contribution included sensors, imaging, artificial intelligence, communications, cloud computing, entertainment, and user-experience technologies. The company introduced its first vehicle under the Afeela brand at CES 2023. The Afeela prototype was a four-door battery-electric sedan designed for a planned North American production program. Its concept included 45 cameras and sensors, advanced driver-assistance functions, connected services, and a software-rich cockpit. The planned vehicle architecture used Qualcomm Snapdragon system-on-chip hardware for infotainment and computing functions. Elektrobit Automotive was associated with the cockpit and software architecture, building on earlier work connected to Sony’s Vision-S program, while Unreal Engine was used for graphical elements and interfaces. At CES 2025, Sony Honda Mobility presented the production version of the vehicle as the Afeela 1. The company’s announced plan was to produce the car in the United States and begin North American deliveries in 2026. It also pursued a direct-to-consumer retail model instead of relying exclusively on franchised dealers. That strategy was intended to support a digitally integrated customer journey, but it generated opposition from dealer interests. In August 2025, the California New Car Dealers Association brought a lawsuit on behalf of Honda and Acura dealers in the state, claiming that the proposed sales model conflicted with California law governing direct sales by automakers. The company continued to present products beyond the sedan. Reference material identifies an electric SUV concept called Prototype 2026, shown at CES 2026 and associated with a proposed 2028 market release. The same material later reports that Sony Honda Mobility cancelled production of the Afeela 1 and the SUV prototype on March 25, 2026. It further states that on April 21, 2026, the company announced a restructuring that reassigned nearly all employees to Sony and Honda. These later developments materially affect the interpretation of Sony Honda Mobility’s operating status, but the available reference set does not provide enough independent context to establish whether the entity remained active, dormant, or dissolved. Accordingly, its status is left unknown.
- 2026
Prototype 2026 SUV concept is presented
[1]The company revealed an electric SUV concept associated with a planned 2028 release.
- 2026
Reported Afeela production cancellation and restructuring
[1]Reference material reports cancellation of the Afeela 1 and SUV production plans, followed by a restructuring and reassignment of nearly all employees to Sony and Honda.
- 2025
Afeela 1 production version is revealed
[1]Sony Honda Mobility showed the production-oriented Afeela 1 at CES 2025 and described plans for a 2026 North American launch.
- 2023
Afeela brand prototype debuts
[1]The first vehicle carrying the Afeela name was revealed as a four-door electric sedan prototype intended for future North American production.
- 2022
Vision-S 02 SUV concept is shown
[1]Sony presented an electric SUV concept at CES 2022; the earlier sedan was subsequently identified as the Vision-S 01.
- 2022
Sony and Honda begin strategic-alliance discussions
[1]The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic mobility partnership.
- 2022
Sony Mobility Inc. is established
[1]Sony created a mobility-services arm during the period in which it was negotiating the partnership with Honda.
- 2022
Sony Honda Mobility is announced
[1]Sony and Honda announced the name of their joint venture and formally introduced the company later that year.
- 2020
Sony introduces the Vision-S sedan prototype
[1]Sony unveiled its first electric sedan prototype at CES, using the vehicle to demonstrate imaging, sensing, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, cloud, and software technologies.
Products and positioning
Premium, software-oriented intelligent electric mobility combining Honda’s automotive engineering and production capabilities with Sony’s sensing, connectivity, artificial intelligence, cloud, entertainment, and interface technologies.
Battery-electric sedan · 2025
Afeela 1
The Afeela 1 is Sony Honda Mobility’s first production-oriented vehicle. It evolved from the four-door Afeela prototype shown in 2023 and was presented in production form at CES 2025. The sedan was designed around a large network of cameras and sensors, connected services, software-updatable functions, and an entertainment-focused digital cockpit. Its planned computing and infotainment architecture used Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware, while Elektrobit Automotive contributed to cockpit and software work. The vehicle was intended for North American production and a 2026 release, although later reference material reports that production was cancelled.
Battery-electric SUV concept · 2026
Afeela electric SUV
The Afeela SUV concept, identified in reference material as Prototype 2026, extended Sony Honda Mobility’s planned product range beyond the sedan. It was presented as an electric sport-utility vehicle concept at CES 2026 and was associated with a proposed 2028 release. The available material does not provide confirmed production specifications, pricing, or finalized commercial naming beyond its Afeela association. Later reference material states that production of the SUV prototype was cancelled.
Electric sedan technology demonstrator · 2020
Vision-S 01
The Vision-S 01 was Sony’s original electric sedan prototype, first shown at CES 2020 under the Vision-S name. It served as a technology demonstrator for Sony’s automotive imaging and sensing systems, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, cloud connectivity, and software-update concepts. It was not presented in the available material as a commercial Sony Honda Mobility vehicle, but it provided an important technological and conceptual predecessor to the Afeela program.
Electric SUV technology demonstrator · 2022
Vision-S 02
The Vision-S 02 was an electric SUV concept unveiled by Sony at CES 2022. Together with the earlier sedan, it demonstrated Sony’s interest in applying sensing, connectivity, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based functions to mobility. The concept preceded the creation of Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela vehicle range and should be understood as a Sony technology demonstrator rather than a confirmed production model of the joint venture.
Controversies
2025
California direct-sales lawsuit
The California New Car Dealers Association sued Sony Honda Mobility and Honda on behalf of Honda and Acura dealers. The complaint alleged that Sony Honda Mobility’s planned direct-to-consumer sales model violated California restrictions against automakers competing directly with franchised dealers. The available reference material describes the allegations but does not provide a final judicial outcome.
Brand decisions
2026
Cancel reported Afeela production plansOtherBackground
Reference material states that the company reassessed its planned Afeela product program after presenting the Afeela 1 and an electric SUV concept.
Action taken
Sony Honda Mobility reportedly announced cancellation of production for the Afeela 1 and the Afeela SUV prototype.
Aftermath
The reported cancellation was followed by a restructuring that reassigned nearly all employees to Sony and Honda.
2026
Restructure the joint ventureStrategyBackground
Reference material reports that the Afeela production plans were cancelled and that the joint venture subsequently changed its organizational structure.
Action taken
The company reportedly reassigned nearly all employees to its Sony and Honda parent organizations.
Aftermath
The available material does not establish whether Sony Honda Mobility continued as an operating company, became dormant, or was dissolved.
2025
Reveal the production-oriented Afeela 1Product launchBackground
The company moved from an exploratory prototype toward a vehicle intended for commercial production and North American distribution.
Action taken
Sony Honda Mobility presented the Afeela 1 at CES 2025 and outlined plans for a 2026 North American release.
Aftermath
The planned direct-sales approach and production program attracted scrutiny from franchised-dealer interests in California.
2025
Pursue direct-to-consumer vehicle salesStrategyBackground
Sony Honda Mobility planned to distribute its vehicles directly to customers rather than relying on a conventional franchised-dealer network.
Action taken
The company pursued a direct-sales model for Afeela vehicles in the United States.
Aftermath
The California New Car Dealers Association filed a lawsuit alleging that the model violated state law limiting direct competition between automakers and franchised dealers.
2023
Launch the Afeela vehicle brandProduct launchBackground
Following the Vision-S prototypes, Sony Honda Mobility needed a distinct commercial identity for its planned electric vehicles.
Action taken
The company introduced a four-door electric sedan prototype under the Afeela name at CES 2023.
Aftermath
Afeela became the principal vehicle brand associated with Sony Honda Mobility and was later used for the production-oriented Afeela 1.
2022
Create a software-oriented mobility joint ventureStrategyBackground
Sony’s Vision-S prototypes demonstrated technology interest in connected electric vehicles, while Honda supplied established automotive engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The companies explored a structure that could combine both sets of capabilities.
Action taken
Sony and Honda established Sony Honda Mobility to develop battery-electric vehicles and related mobility services, presenting the entity as a Mobility Tech Company rather than only a conventional car manufacturer.
Aftermath
The venture adopted the Afeela brand and pursued software-rich electric vehicles, connected services, and a technology-led ownership experience.
Recent events
- 2026
Prototype 2026 electric SUV concept is presented[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Sony Honda Mobility revealed an electric SUV concept at CES 2026 and associated it with a proposed 2028 release.
- 2026
Afeela vehicle production is reportedly cancelled[1]
Product generation
Reference material states that Sony Honda Mobility announced the cancellation of production for the Afeela 1 and the Afeela SUV prototype.
- 2026
Sony Honda Mobility announces restructuring[1]
Leadership change
Reference material states that the company announced a restructuring under which nearly all employees would be reassigned to Sony and Honda.
- 2025
Afeela 1 production version is revealed[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The production-oriented Afeela 1 was shown at CES 2025, with a planned North American introduction in 2026.
- 2023
Afeela sedan prototype debuts at CES[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Sony Honda Mobility presented its first Afeela-branded electric sedan prototype, targeting eventual production in the United States.
- 2022
Sony and Honda announce the Sony Honda Mobility joint venture[1]
M&A · Other
Sony and Honda formally announced their joint venture to develop battery-electric vehicles and mobility services, with Yasuhide Mizuno leading the company.
- 2022
Sony Honda Mobility is formally unveiled[1]
Other
The partners publicly introduced Sony Honda Mobility and described its ambition to operate as a software-oriented mobility technology company.
Sources1 sources
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