Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) revealed its second-generation electric vehicle concept at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, while confirming production timelines for its debut model. The AFEELA Prototype 2026 will serve as the basis for a production vehicle targeting U.S. market launch as early as 2028.
The joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co. also announced that customer deliveries of AFEELA 1 will begin in California later this year, with expansion to Arizona planned for 2027 and Japan deliveries scheduled for early 2027.
Highlights
- AFEELA 1 deliveries begin in California in late 2026, with Arizona expansion in 2027 and Japan in early 2027
- AFEELA Prototype 2026 world premiere signals second model targeting 2028 U.S. launch
- Qualcomm partnership will integrate Snapdragon Digital Chassis into next-generation electrical/electronic architecture
- Trial production completed at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio during fall 2025
Production and Delivery Timeline
SHM opened reservations for AFEELA 1 in California in January 2025. Since then, the company has attracted more than 100,000 visitors to its AFEELA Studio showrooms and conducted over 24,000 in-vehicle demonstrations.
Trial production runs at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio concluded in fall 2025. Pre-production vehicles from these runs were displayed at CES 2026.
This spring, SHM will open combined showroom and delivery facilities called AFEELA Studio and Delivery Hubs in Torrance and Fremont, California. Early reservation holders will gain access to the AFEELA Advanced Access program, which includes demo drives planned for late 2026.
Technology Roadmap
SHM positions its vehicles as a “Creative Entertainment Space” where AI transforms the driving experience. The company’s technology strategy centers on three pillars.
AFEELA Intelligent Drive provides Level 2+ advanced driver assistance. SHM is developing an end-to-end AI model integrating Vision-Language Model technology, with plans to achieve Level 4-equivalent capabilities that would enable occupants to focus on entertainment rather than driving tasks.
AFEELA Personal Agent uses Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to deliver conversational AI interactions. The system adapts to individual user preferences and communication styles.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis will power future electrical/electronic architecture. This partnership provides SHM access to Qualcomm Technologies’ automotive computing platforms for AI-centered mobility experiences.
Developer Ecosystem Initiatives
The AFEELA Co-Creation Program provides creators and developers with documentation for building in-vehicle entertainment content. SHM is developing cloud APIs and Android application development environments for its in-vehicle infotainment system.
The company also announced plans for an on-chain mobility service platform using token-based incentives. This “X-to-Earn” concept aims to create an ecosystem spanning ideation, development, and user evaluation phases, with potential participation from other automakers and service providers.
AFEELA Prototype 2026 Details
The new prototype builds on AFEELA 1’s design philosophy while emphasizing greater spatial flexibility and accessibility. SHM aims to reach a broader customer base with the production version expected in 2028.
Specific technical specifications for the prototype were not disclosed at the CES presentation.
Company Background
Sony Honda Mobility was established in 2022 as a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co. The company describes itself as a “Mobility Tech Company” focused on combining both parent companies’ technologies and expertise.
Additional information is available at https://www.shm-afeela.com.
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