Honda Killing Its EVs Might Mean Sony Is Screwed, Too

Earlier today, Honda became the latest automaker to curtail its EV expansion, announcing that it would be canceling the development and launch of three electric vehicles—the 0 saloon, the 0 SUV, and the Acura RSX—all of which it previously planned to build at its Marysville, Ohio assembly plant.

The move is surprising, as Honda made a pretty big deal of launching these cars last year, and even went as far as showing off a camouflaged prototype of the production-intent RSX in August. At the same time, the decision sort of makes sense, as the flattening demand for expensive EVs likely wouldn’t have resulted in any profit for Honda.

All three of those cars were supposed to be based on the same next-generation EV platform from Honda. But they weren’t the only cars set to use that platform. The Afeela 1, the electric sedan born from a joint venture between Honda and Sony, is also based on this architecture. But now that the company supplying that platform is pulling the plug on its own cars, the future of the Afeela, and Sony’s dream of becoming a company that sells cars, is now in jeopardy.

It’s not just the public who doesn’t really know what the future holds for Sony Honda Mobility, the joint venture responsible for developing, launching, and selling the Afeela 1. In a statement to The Autopian, a representative told us that it’s up to the people in charge of each respective brand:

Sony Honda Mobility is aware of Honda Motor’s decision to pause its EV business in North America. Our parent companies, Sony Group Corporation and Honda, will hold discussions on how this affects SHM, there for there is no more information that we can speak to at this moment. We are operating as usual.

We will keep you informed when we have more news.

Basically, no one really knows right now whether or not Sony Honda Mobility will continue the development of the Afeela 1 or pull the plug. It’s worth noting that the company was pretty far along in making sure the Afeela was ready for the road, having conducted trial production runs last year at Honda’s East Liberty assembly plant (which is, importantly, separate from the Marysville plant where Honda planned to build its EVs). It showed off a production-intent prototype at CES in Las Vegas last year, and currently has six studios throughout California where you can schedule a time to sit in the car to check out its gigantic panoramic screen.

Even if the car is ready to launch and SHM has a place to build it, not having the support from Honda to continue development of the platform might be an issue. On top of that, the Afeela, with its unknown reputation, two 241-hp motors, estimated 300 miles of range, and $89,900 price tag, isn’t exactly competitive, and it’s going to be fighting in what is already a low-volume segment of the market. A Lucid Air Touring with AWD, for example, makes 620 horsepower, gets 406 miles of range, and costs eight grand less.

It’s possible that instead of hitting pause on its next-gen platform altogether, Honda could be consolidating its EV efforts into this one car, decreasing its footprint in the arena without leaving it altogether. If Honda and Sony are willing to spend a bunch of cash on extra development, it could pivot the Afeela to hybrid power, and push its launch date back a year or two, leaning on Honda’s move to spend more on developing a new hybrid powertrain, set to be released in 2028. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve heard of a carmaker adding an engine to a car previously designed to be EV only.