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Sony and Honda’s Afeela Electric Car to Start at $89,900
Today, Sony Honda Mobility unveiled the long-awaited pricing details for their joint venture’s first vehicle, the Afeela. The news comes after years of anticipation and speculation, and it’s finally confirmed that the electric car will start at a staggering $89,900.
The Afeela will be available in two trims: the $89,900 Afeela 1 Origin, and the $102,900 Afeela 1 Signature. Interestingly, the base price includes a complimentary three-year subscription to various in-car features, such as Level 2+ driver assist and an AI-powered personal assistant.
Pre-orders for the vehicle have officially opened today, with interested buyers able to reserve their spot by placing a refundable $200 deposit. It’s unclear what the final product will look like or how it will differ from previous concept vehicles, but one thing is certain – the Afeela has finally taken its first steps towards becoming a reality.
The timing of this announcement couldn’t be more critical. In recent years, demand for EVs in the US has seen a significant spike and then flatline, before stabilizing at an unexpectedly high level. Additionally, the Biden administration’s generous incentives for EV buyers have only just come into effect, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be maintained or revoked by the incoming Trump administration.
On the other hand, China has emerged as the world’s dominant EV producer, prompting Honda to initiate a merger with Nissan in an effort to better compete on the global stage. It appears that Sony and Honda are taking cues from this shift in the market, focusing on producing a luxury vehicle that can hold its own against top players in the industry.
The Afeela prototype boasts a sleek sedan design, replete with screens across the dashboard, 45 sensors and cameras for semi-autonomous driving assistance, all-wheel drive capabilities, and hints at augmented reality integration. It’s clear that Sony is taking a bold approach to the automotive sector by emphasizing its luxury features and software offerings.
In the coming days, the company will hold another press conference to outline the customer experience of shopping for and owning an Afeela.
Source: www.theverge.com
