The annual Consumer Electronics Show got underway in Las Vegas this week, but Winter Storm Blair unraveled my plan to be on the ground to check things out in person. That means I still haven't had an in-person look at the Sony Honda Mobility Afeela, a new electric sedan that goes on sale in California later this year.
Sony stunned everyone by first showing off an electric concept car at CES in 2020. Meant to showcase the Japanese technology company's wide range of products, from sensors to digital entertainment, the concept left many scratching their heads about Sony's true intention here—surely the company wasn't also about to start making cars?
But that turned out to be exactly the plan. Although Sony began developing its EV with the contract manufacturer (and tier 1 supplier) Magna Steyr, the car—now called the Afeela 1—will be built by Honda, which formed a strategic alliance with Sony to create the aforementioned Sony Honda Mobility, which will sell the new car.
