Sony Honda's AFEELA 1 EV Begins Ohio Trials with New Quality Standard

EAST LIBERTY, OH – January 02, 2026 – Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (SHM) has officially moved its much-anticipated AFEELA 1 electric vehicle from concept to reality, initiating trial production runs at Honda's established East Liberty Auto Plant. In a move signaling an intense focus on precision for its technology-laden car, the joint venture also announced the creation of a dedicated inspection facility, the 'Quality Gate,' designed to ensure its first model meets a new standard of excellence before it reaches customers in 2026.

This milestone marks a critical phase for the partnership between the technology giant and the automotive titan. While leveraging Honda's decades of manufacturing expertise, SHM is implementing an additional layer of scrutiny tailored specifically for a vehicle that blurs the lines between transportation and high-performance electronics. The trial runs and the new quality facility are the final proving grounds for a car built on the promise of fusing advanced intelligence with a deeply human-centric experience.

A New Benchmark for Quality Control

At the heart of the announcement is the establishment of the 'Quality Gate' in East Liberty, a facility that operates beyond Honda's already rigorous quality checks. This bespoke inspection process underscores the unique challenge of building a software-defined vehicle packed with 40 sensors, panoramic screens, and an AI-powered personal agent. SHM's approach acknowledges that traditional automotive quality control is insufficient for a vehicle where software performance is as critical as mechanical integrity.

The Quality Gate will conduct unique inspections from two primary perspectives. The first is Function Inspection, where technicians will meticulously verify the operation of AFEELA's signature intelligent features. This includes validating the stability of its 5G connectivity, the responsiveness of its in-vehicle infotainment system powered by Unreal Engine, and the accuracy of its vast sensor array, which is the foundation for its advanced driver-assistance systems. The second is Exterior Inspection, a process dedicated to ensuring the physical perfection of the vehicle's minimalist design, scrutinizing everything from surface continuity and paint color accuracy to reflection uniformity.

"We will ensure that all integrated functions installed in the vehicle operate completely as designed to deliver the experience promised by AFEELA," said Susan Dulik, Product Quality Manager for Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc. "We will provide not only technology but also the highest reliability. This is our commitment to our customers."

Crucially, the Quality Gate is not just a final checkpoint but an integrated feedback mechanism. Data gathered during these intensive inspections will be relayed directly to SHM's vehicle design teams and back to the manufacturing floor at the East Liberty plant, creating a continuous loop of improvement aimed at stabilizing and enhancing production quality over time.

The 'Smartphone on Wheels' Takes Shape

The AFEELA 1 is positioned as more than just an electric car; it is a piece of mobility technology. Its architecture is built around a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis, with a System on a Chip (SoC) capable of over 800 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This formidable processing power is necessary to manage the vehicle's '3A' concept: Autonomy, Augmentation, and Affinity.

For Autonomy, the vehicle will launch with Level 2+ hands-off, eyes-on driver assistance, with a future pathway to Level 4 capabilities through over-the-air (OTA) updates. The Augmentation pillar is where Sony's entertainment DNA shines. The car features a panoramic digital dashboard, a premium 360 Spatial Sound audio system, and even the ability to play PlayStation games via Remote Play on its high-resolution screens. Affinity represents SHM's goal of creating an open platform, inviting external developers to create applications and experiences for the vehicle.

With a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 483 horsepower and a 91 kWh battery targeting a range of around 300 miles, the AFEELA 1 enters a competitive premium EV sedan market. Priced from $89,900, it will challenge established players like the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air. However, SHM is betting that its unparalleled focus on the in-car experience, software integration, and guaranteed quality will attract tech-savvy consumers who value a seamless digital lifestyle over raw performance metrics alone.

Ohio's Growing Role in the EV Revolution

SHM's decision to build the AFEELA 1 in Ohio firmly anchors the new brand within America's industrial heartland and reinforces the state's rapidly growing importance as an EV manufacturing powerhouse. The East Liberty Auto Plant is a cornerstone of what Honda has designated its 'Ohio EV Hub'—a network of three retooled plants receiving a combined $700 million investment to handle the production of electric, hybrid, and traditional vehicles on the same assembly lines.

This strategic investment by Honda extends far beyond its own models. The production of the AFEELA 1 brings a new, high-tech product into the Ohio manufacturing ecosystem, adding to the region's expertise. Furthermore, this activity is complemented by a colossal $3.5 billion joint venture between Honda and LG Energy Solution to construct an EV battery plant in Fayette County, Ohio. That facility, expected to create 2,200 jobs, will supply the battery modules for North American-built Honda, Acura, and, presumably, AFEELA models.

Together, these investments represent a multi-billion-dollar commitment that is creating thousands of jobs and transforming Ohio's legacy automotive industry into a critical hub for the next generation of mobility. The state is becoming a vertically integrated ecosystem for electric vehicles, from battery production to the final assembly of some of the most advanced cars on the market.

From Show Floor to Assembly Line

With trial production underway, SHM is on track for its planned 2026 launch. The initial rollout will be exclusive to California, with the top-tier Signature trim ($102,900) scheduled for delivery in mid-2026, followed by the Origin trim ($89,900) in 2027. The company is also adopting a modern business model, with key software features like the 'Afeela Intelligent Drive' and 'Afeela Personal Agent' requiring a subscription after an initial complimentary period, creating a recurring revenue stream.

By localizing assembly and battery sourcing in Ohio, the joint venture is building a resilient North American supply chain, mitigating risks associated with global logistics and component shortages that have plagued the industry. As the first AFEELA 1 vehicles roll through the East Liberty plant and face the intense scrutiny of the Quality Gate, Sony Honda Mobility is making a clear statement about its brand promise. The coming months of trial production will be crucial in refining the complex interplay between Honda’s manufacturing legacy and Sony’s digital innovation, determining if the AFEELA 1 can deliver not just a new car, but a new kind of mobility experience when it reaches its first customers.