Sony Honda Afeela 1 pre-production in Ohio: specs and 2026 deliveries

© honda.co.jp

Sony Honda Mobility’s joint venture has finally sent a clear signal: the Afeela project is very much alive. The company said it has run Afeela 1 pre-production builds on the line at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio, a step toward series manufacturing. In parallel, East Liberty has opened a dedicated Quality Gate area to perform additional checks on cars assembled to Honda standards and SHM specifications; teams there verify the operation of smart features—infotainment, sensors, connectivity stability—and scrutinize exterior finish, from the uniformity of reflections to color accuracy. Tapping Honda’s seasoned Ohio line hints at a pragmatic path to scale.

Officially, the Afeela 1 promises about 480 km of EPA range from a 91-kWh battery and all-wheel drive via twin 180-kW motors front and rear. Charging is specified for NACS, with up to 150 kW DC and 11 kW AC. The spec sheet lists 40 sensors, a computing platform rated at 800 TOPS, and active noise cancellation—underscoring a focus on electronics rather than chasing acceleration stats. Taken together, the hardware points to a tech-first character instead of headline-grabbing sprints.

The business picture is taking shape as well: the brand’s website shows a refundable $200 reservation deposit, subject to availability. Pricing could land around $90,000. The company also confirmed a target for California deliveries in 2026. If those targets hold, the timing looks deliberate rather than rushed.