Sony and Honda are ending their collaboration on the Afeela 1 sedan and Afeela 2 SUV, marking the conclusion of a unique venture in the electric vehicle space that aimed to integrate PlayStation features into cars.
Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture formed by the two companies, announced the cancellation of both vehicles. Unfortunately, neither will ever make it to customers.
What Were the Afeela Cars?
The Afeela 1 and Afeela 2 aimed to combine electric vehicle technology with Sony’s entertainment expertise. The idea was straightforward: create a vehicle where the infotainment system felt more like a PlayStation than just a standard dashboard display. Sony intended to incorporate its gaming, music, and sensor tech right from the start, instead of tacking it on later.
The Afeela 1, which made its public debut at the CES in Las Vegas, generated quite a bit of excitement. The Afeela 2, an SUV, was still in the early development stages. Now, both concepts are off the table.
Why Did It Fall Apart?
Neither Sony nor Honda has provided a detailed explanation for the cancellations. However, the current state of the EV market sheds light on the situation. Since the announcement of their partnership in 2021, competition has intensified. Automakers like Ford and Volkswagen have delayed or scaled back their EV plans. Companies that previously partnered with tech firms have found it challenging to keep up with market demands.
For Sony, entering the car market was always a sidestep from its main focus on entertainment and gaming. The Afeela project relied on Honda’s manufacturing capabilities because Sony lacked the resources to build cars independently. When joint ventures encounter difficulties, companies often find it easier to walk away than to invest more effort.
The EV startup landscape also shows that a strong brand doesn’t guarantee sales. For instance, Fisker, once seen as a serious contender to Tesla, filed for bankruptcy in 2024. Manufacturing and marketing cars at scale is tough, and the opportunity for newcomers without substantial infrastructure is dwindling.
What This Means
If you were looking forward to a car with PlayStation integration, that dream is now off the table, at least from this partnership. The Afeela vehicles represented an innovative approach to making in-car entertainment feel more integrated. Sadly, that vision is now shelved.
This cancellation serves as a reminder that concept cars and flashy trade show unveilings don’t always lead to actual products. The Afeela 1 had been showcased multiple times, leading some to believe it was nearing production. In reality, it wasn’t.
For Sony shareholders, this news eliminates an expensive uncertainty. Creating vehicles from scratch demands massive investment, and exiting early minimizes financial losses. Sony’s stock only saw a slight movement after the announcement, indicating investors weren’t banking on the EV venture for future profits.
Community Reactions
“Honestly surprised it lasted this long. Sony making cars was always a weird flex. Stick to the PS6.”
— Reddit user, r/electricvehicles
“The Afeela 1 looked genuinely nice at CES. Shame it never got past the concept stage. Another one for the graveyard.”
— YouTube comment on CNET’s Afeela coverage
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Company | Sony Group Corporation |
| Ticker | SONY |
| Stock Price | $20.00 (-0.17%) |
| CEO | Kenichiro Yoshida |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Sector | Hardware / Entertainment |
| EV Joint Venture | Sony Honda Mobility (2021) |
| Vehicles Cancelled | Afeela 1 (sedan), Afeela 2 (SUV) |
Sources and Further Reading
- CNET: Sony’s EV Prototypes With PlayStation Ties Are Not Rolling Forward
- Ars Technica: Honda Cancels the Two Electric Vehicles It Was Developing With Sony
What To Watch
- Sony’s next moves in mobility: Sony has considerable sensor and camera technology used in driver assistance systems throughout the auto industry. It’ll be interesting to see if they refocus those assets into supplying other automakers instead of building their own vehicles.
- Sony Honda Mobility’s future: The joint venture was created for more than just these two cars. Keep an eye out for any official statements regarding the continuation of the partnership.
- The broader EV shakeout: As traditional automakers pull back and startups face challenges, 2026 looks to be a year of consolidation in the electric vehicle market. We can expect more partnership dissolutions and cancellations before things stabilize.
