Sony (6758.T) of Japan unveiled a prototype of the new Afeela electric cars it will build with Honda (7267.T) recently. Sony said it would use its extensive entertainment content to become a player in next-generation automobiles.
At the CES 2023 technology show in Las Vegas, Sony showed off the Afeela, which has rounded corners and a sleek black roof. The “Snapdragon” digital chassis of hardware manufacturer Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM.O) will be used in the vehicle.
Sony’s long-awaited venture with Honda into electric vehicles, which it announced in March, demonstrates how manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the cockpit experience in automobiles. This presents the opportunity to sell content through subscription services for automobiles, particularly as autonomous driving capabilities advance.
Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno told the trade show, to realize intelligent mobility, continuous software updates, and high-performance computing is required. We will collaborate closely with Qualcomm in this regard.
The partnership with Sony may enable Honda to accelerate its previously sluggish transition to electric vehicles. It has also struggled to gain a foothold in the luxury car market with its Acura brand over the years. The venture has stated that the new electric vehicle will cost more.
The partnership between Sony Group Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. aims to begin selling electric vehicles in North America in early 2026.
Lastly, in the Tokyo trade, Sony shares were up 1.6%, while Honda shares were flat. There were a few changes to the Nikkei 225 (.N225) benchmark.