- Honda cancelled multiple EV programs in the U.S., raising questions about the future of AFEELA 1 production.
- Sony Honda Mobility says discussions are ongoing regarding how the cancellations may affect the AFEELA program.
The Sony Honda Mobility AFEELA 1 electric sedan has entered a period of uncertainty following Honda’s decision to cancel three planned electric vehicle programs in the United States. The announcement came just a day before Sony Honda Mobility confirmed a design-focused exhibition of its AFEELA prototype in Tokyo. While the showcase continues as planned, the broader production outlook for the joint venture’s first electric sedan now appears less clear.
Honda EV Cancellations Raise Platform Questions
Honda recently confirmed it is terminating development of several EV models intended for production in Ohio, including the Honda 0 Series Sedan, the 0 Series SUV, and the Acura RSX. These vehicles were originally scheduled for manufacturing at the Marysville Assembly Plant. The AFEELA 1 sedan shares its underlying platform with the cancelled programs and is being assembled at the East Liberty Assembly Plant, also located in Ohio in the United States. Because of this shared architecture, the cancellations have created uncertainty regarding how the AFEELA production strategy will evolve.
Trial Production and Market Launch Timeline
Prior to the latest developments, Sony Honda Mobility had already conducted pilot production runs of the vehicle during late 2025 at the East Liberty facility. The tests were part of preparations for mass production. During a press conference held before CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the company confirmed that customer deliveries were expected to begin in California in 2026, followed by market expansion to Arizona in 2027. Deliveries in Japan were planned for the first half of 2027.
Future Plans Under Review
The company is also preparing to open the AFEELA Studio & Delivery Hub in Fremont, California, which is expected to serve as a key retail and customer engagement center for the brand. In parallel, Sony Honda Mobility previously revealed the AFEELA Prototype 2026 SUV concept and indicated that a production model could reach the U.S. market around 2028. However, company executives now state that Sony and Honda will jointly review the situation and assess how the EV program cancellations could influence the sedan’s development and rollout strategy.
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