As major automakers pare back their EV offerings, Sony and Honda are scrapping their plans to launch a gadget-packed electric vehicle.
The move by Sony Honda Mobility comes weeks after Honda announced a $15.7-billion writedown of its EV business and said it would cancel planned production for three of its own electric models.
Sony Honda Mobility is discontinuing the development and launch of the Afeela 1, a roughly $100,000 electric sedan stuffed with screens, speakers and AI. The car was set to hit the roads exclusively in California later this year.
This decision follows discussions between our parent companies, after taking into account the significant impact of Hondas EV strategy change, said Akiko Itoga, director of public relations for Sony Honda Mobility.
The discontinuation of these [Honda] models significantly impacts Sony Honda Mobility of America in pursuing a viable business case, she said.
In a release on Wednesday, the company said it wouldnt be able to utilize certain technologies and assets that were originally planned, because of the sudden change in Hondas plans.
The company will issue refunds to customers who paid $200 to reserve a vehicle. It did not disclose the number of reservation holders.
Earlier this month, Honda reported its first annual loss in nearly 70 years as a listed company. It is not the only automaker to struggle with losses on EVs.
Ford took a $19.5-billion writedown and discontinued its electric pickup F-150 Lightning last year. Stellantis, maker of Jeep, Ram and others, took a $26.5-billion hit after shifting away from EVs in February.
The way the market is looking right now, it makes sense they shut down, said Kristin Shaw, an auto industry analyst and writer. Its a matter of timing.
The companies could still work together in the future, she said.
Despite a predicted uptick in EV interest driven by sky-high gas prices, the market isnt welcoming for newcomers at the moment. The average price of gas in California was $5.83, according to AAA.
Afeela might be shelved or it might be trashed, Shaw said. Right now, its not going to work.
The creators of Afeela were trying to make a car, entertainment system and personal assistant in one. The discontinued vehicles were to have 28 speakers, wraparound screens, an AI assistant and an entertainment system for Karaoke or playing Sony PlayStation games.
The company was also trying to achieve full autonomy in its vehicles. The Afeela 1 was equipped with 18 cameras, nine radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and lidar allowing it to qualify for level two autonomy, which requires a driver in control.
President Trump has rolled back EV incentives and requirements for automakers to sell green vehicles, leading to fewer options and declining public interest.
Tesla, the most popular EV in the country, is pivoting toward AI and autonomous driving tech as its EV sales lose steam. It discontinued its Model S and X in January. The company also lost swaths of customers last year as Chief Executive Elon Musks reputation suffered.
Sony Honda Mobility said it will continue discussions with Sony and Honda regarding future plans. Sony isnt the only tech company that tried to break into the electric vehicle market Apple worked on an EV for more than 10 years before shutting down in 2024.
在各大汽车制造商纷纷缩减电动汽车产品线之际，索尼和本田宣布放弃推出搭载高科技设备的电动汽车计划。
索尼本田移动出行公司此举的背景是，本田公司数周前刚刚宣布对其电动汽车业务计提157亿美元减值损失，并表示将取消三款自有电动车型的生产计划。
索尼本田移动出行公司（Sony Honda Mobility）已终止开发并取消推出售价约10万美元的Afeela 1电动轿车。这款配备多块屏幕、扬声器和人工智能技术的车型，原计划于今年晚些时候仅在加利福尼亚州上路行驶。
索尼本田移动出行公司公关总监糸贺昭子（Akiko Itoga）表示："这一决定是在双方母公司经过商讨后作出的，同时考量了本田电动汽车战略调整带来的重大影响。"
她表示，这些[本田]车型的停产对索尼本田移动美国公司（Sony Honda Mobility of America）实现可行的商业模式产生了重大影响。
该公司在周三的一份声明中表示，由于本田计划的突然变更，其将无法按原计划使用某些技术和资产。
该公司将向支付200美元预订车辆的客户退还押金，但未透露具体预订人数。
本月早些时候，本田汽车公布了其近70年上市以来的首次年度亏损。在电动汽车领域遭遇亏损的汽车制造商并非仅此一家。
福特公司去年计提了195亿美元的资产减值，并停产了其电动皮卡F-150 Lightning。旗下拥有吉普、公羊等品牌的斯特兰蒂斯集团，在2月放弃电动汽车业务后，遭受了265亿美元的损失。
汽车行业分析师兼作家克里斯汀·肖（Kristin Shaw）表示：“从当前市场形势来看，他们选择关闭是合理的。这是个时机问题。”
她表示，这些公司未来仍有可能展开合作。
尽管油价飙升预计会推高消费者对电动汽车的兴趣，但当前市场对新入局者并不友好。美国汽车协会（AAA）数据显示，加利福尼亚州汽油均价已达每加仑5.83美元。
肖表示：“Afeela项目可能会被搁置，也可能会被彻底放弃。就目前而言，它无法推进。”
Afeela的创造者们试图打造一款集汽车、娱乐系统和个人助理于一体的产品。这款已停产的车型原计划配备28个扬声器、环绕式屏幕、人工智能助手以及支持卡拉OK或索尼PlayStation游戏的娱乐系统。
该公司还致力于实现车辆的完全自动驾驶。Afeela 1配备了18个摄像头、9个雷达、12个超声波传感器以及激光雷达，使其达到L2级自动驾驶标准——该级别仍需驾驶员保持操控。
特朗普总统取消了针对汽车制造商销售环保车辆的激励措施和要求，导致可选车型减少，公众兴趣下降。
随着电动车销售势头减弱，美国最受欢迎的电动车品牌特斯拉正将重心转向人工智能和自动驾驶技术。该公司已于1月停产Model S和Model X车型。去年，由于首席执行官埃隆·马斯克的声誉受损，特斯拉还流失了大量客户。
索尼本田移动出行公司表示，将继续与索尼和本田就未来计划进行讨论。索尼并非唯一试图进军电动汽车市场的科技公司——苹果公司曾耗时十余年研发电动车项目，最终于2024年终止。
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