Honda And Sony Will Accelerate EV Development To Pursue Chinese Manufacturers

Afeela. (Doc. Honda Global)

JAKARTA - Honda and Sony have launched the Afeela brand, a more sophisticated future electric vehicle (EV). However, these two well-known brands plan to continue to strengthen their partnership in the automotive sector.

Reporting from Carscoops, Tuesday, July 9, the two companies intend to cut costs and shorten development time to anticipate the onslaught of Chinese automotive manufacturers.

According to the report, Honda will sell models from Series 0 at an estimated price of around 40,000 US dollars (Rp650.9 million). Meanwhile, from the Afeela brand, it is estimated that the EV price offered is more expensive.

It also states that the platform for Afeela cars can account for about 10 percent of the cost of one EV unit and sharing a platform can generate significant savings and lower prices compared to Honda developing a different architecture from Series 0.

Honda's next-generation electric vehicle will include seven new models that will launch until 2031. The manufacturer with the H logo has disbursed funds of up to 10 trillion yen for EVs. Last May, they confirmed it would feature ultra-thin batteries and develop the latest e-axle.

Honda will also take advantage of the ability to develop Formula 1 cars to develop next-generation electric vehicles with lighter weights.

The goal is to reduce about 220 pounds (100 kg) compared to the previous electric car. This weight reduction includes a lighter body frame and a thin-dimensional electric motor.

Engineers will install electric motors and batteries in a low position in the middle of the EV, thus lowering its center of gravity to sharpen its control. Honda also promised to present electric cars with high-end efficiency.

All models from Series 0 will be launched with a range of up to 480 km and will likely use the same battery as the Afeela model, which is 91 kWh lithium.

However, the manufacturer looks set to focus on the SUV and crossover segments first. The 0 series is scheduled to launch in the second half of the decade and first pave in North America, before globally.

This is followed by medium size and entry-level SUVs in the same period. Then, the manufacturer will offer a three-line large-dimensional SUV in 2027 which is then followed by a compact SUV a year later.