Honda just threw a wrench into its electric vehicle strategy, and the Honda Afeela is caught in the middle. Yesterday, the automaker announced it’s canceling all three EVs set to be built in the United States—including models that were supposed to hit showrooms later this year. Now everyone’s asking the same question: what does this mean for the Afeela 1, the sleek electric sedan Honda developed with Sony?
Honda Afeela: What Honda Actually Announced
Honda’s decision to halt North American EV production is significant. The automaker had planned to build three vehicles—the Acura RSX (originally due in late 2025, then pushed to 2026), plus the 0-Series SUV and 0-Series Saloon—at its Ohio manufacturing facilities.
But here’s the thing: the Honda Afeela operates differently. It’s not a Honda vehicle built by Honda alone. Instead, it’s the product of Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Honda. That distinction matters more than you might think.
Sony Honda Mobility’s Cryptic Response
When we reached out to Sony Honda Mobility for clarity, their answer was cautious. “Sony Honda Mobility is aware of Honda Motor’s decision to pause its EV business in North America,” a company spokesperson told us. “Our parent companies, Sony Group Corporation and Honda, will hold discussions on how this affects SHM, therefore there is no more information that we can speak to at this moment.”
Related: Upcoming Electric Vehicles Coming Soon.
Translation? They’re not shutting down the Afeela project—not yet anyway. But they’re also not confirming it’s moving forward. The spokesperson did add that the company is “operating as usual,” which could mean anything from full steam ahead to quietly reassessing behind the scenes.
The Honda Afeela 1 was originally scheduled to start production at Honda’s East Liberty factory in Ohio sometime this year. Pre-production models were already assembled last fall, suggesting most of the tooling and manufacturing setup is already complete.
What Happens to Ohio’s EV Hub?
Honda spent the last two years completely retooling its Ohio operations. The company invested heavily in the East Liberty factory, the Marysville Auto Plant, and the Anna Engine Plant, designing them specifically to build EVs alongside traditional gasoline and hybrid vehicles on the same production line.
A Honda spokesperson confirmed that the company will “continue producing gasoline and hybrid vehicles at both the Marysville Auto Plant and the East Liberty Auto Plant.” Marysville currently builds the Honda Accord and Acura Integra. East Liberty handles the Honda CR-V, Acura MDX, and Acura RDX—though that last model ends production this spring to make way for a new hybrid version arriving in a couple of years.
So what does this mean for Afeela production? It’s possible—even likely—that East Liberty could still churn out Honda Afeela sedans. The facility was built with flexibility in mind. Pre-production vehicles are already rolling off the line. The major question isn’t whether the Afeela can be built there. It’s whether Honda will actually prioritize it when it’s juggling the Accord, Integra, CR-V, and upcoming hybrids.
The Afeela’s Uncertain Road Ahead
Here’s what we know: the Honda Afeela 1 probably won’t be canceled outright. The pre-production work is already done. The tooling is mostly in place. But production numbers are likely to stay modest.
(See also: Ford Uev Platform Electric Vehicle Strategy)
Why? Because Honda’s suddenly prioritizing gas and hybrid vehicles at its Ohio factories. The company’s EV ambitions took a hit, and the manufacturer needs to protect the vehicles people are actually buying right now. The Accord, CR-V, and Integra are profitable. The Afeela? It’s unproven in the mass market.
Sony Honda Mobility will probably meet with Honda’s leadership to work out new timelines and production targets. Don’t expect a big announcement anytime soon. The companies are taking a measured approach, and that usually means behind-the-scenes negotiations that take months to resolve.
