Latest news with #Afeela
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Mazda Bites Bullet And Adopts Tesla's Superchargers Globally
The new Mazda 6e. Mazda may have been one of the last carmakers in the U.S. to announce it was adopting Tesla's Supercharger system — better known as NACS (North American Charging Standard) — but it just happens to be one of the first to reveal it will employ the world's best, quickest, most efficient charging system in its home country of Japan. Last year, Sony Honda Mobility's Afeela EV brand announced plans to use the NACS system in Japan, making it the first carmaker in Japan to make the switch. And that's quite an announcement for Mazda given that the Hiroshima-based carmaker has only debuted one dedicated electric vehicle so far. The fully electric MX-30 SUV launched in the U.S. in 2020 but was withdrawn after only two model years due to its poor 100-mile EPA-estimated range. BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JANUARY 10: Mazda 6e mid-size battery electric car on display at the AutoSalon ... More on January 10, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Sjoerd van) And while it has launched the new electric Mazda EZ-6 sedan in China, co-developed in partnership with China's Changan Automotive, and will debut the new Mazda 6e in Europe in summer, the brand does not have plans for an EV in the US before 2027. Mazda was considering an SUV derivative of the 6e for North America — rumored to be called the Mazda CX-6e — but the current stiff tariffs don't bode well for vehicles built outside the US. The company does however offer the plug-in hybrid models including the CX-70 PHEV and CX-90 PHEV variants (with electric-only range of up to 26 miles) which will be able to use the NACS system. CHAdeMO, Japan's fast-charging network, had its moment as a connector in Japan, and a few other markets, but it is getting phased out simply because it does not offer quick enough charging. CHAdeMO may offer several types of charging options, with some faster than others, but the majority of these Japan-centric chargers are only able to charge at up to 50kW while NACS delivers between 150kW to 250kW, which means that NACS can recharge batteries up to 80% in 20 minutes where as CHAdeMO can take well over an hour to deliver the same amount of charge. Meanwhile in North America at present, Mazda says on its U.S. website 'thanks to our partnership with ChargePoint, you can speed up your at-home charge time to just 1.5 hours with the installation of one of their Level 2 in-home charging units.' The NACS collaboration announcement means that Mazda owners in the US will get access to a much quicker and easily accessible charging system when it starts the program in 2027.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Afeela Will Woo EV Shoppers, but Not All at Once
The Afeela brand opens a studio in a Los Angeles mall, welcoming EV shoppers until August 1 of this year. The not-inexpensive electric sedan promises a range of about 300 miles, but the main event will be the Sony tech inside offering movies, games, and music. The electric sedan will be available only in California, at least initially. Sony and Honda's Afeela experiment is inching steadily toward reality, with plans to begin deliveries in California sometime by the middle of 2026. But finding out firsthand just what Afeela plans to offer hasn't been easy for prospective EV buyers, perhaps even those who've already bought an EV online sight unseen. The newly-formed brand has now opened what it calls a Studio in LA's Westfield Century City mall, and it's the first time that its inaugural sedan, dubbed Afeela 1, and all the Sony tech inside have been shown to the public in the city. This will be the first real opportunity for the new brand to convince buyers to spend close to six figures on a body style that has been represented well enough by other brands, but one that won't come with a Honda or Acura badge. The Afeela Studio will only remain open for until August 1, with the company now accepting $200 refundable deposits for the sedan. Needless to say, this is a rather limited and temporary footprint for a brand that plans to begin deliveries next year, even though Los Angeles is certainly a hot EV market. Pricing for the sedan had been revealed not too long ago, with the Afeela 1 Signature wearing a $102,900 sticker, though a more affordable Afeela 1 Origin that will land in 2027 will require $89,900. Both trims will be powered by a 91-kWh battery pack sending juice to two 241-hp motors at each axle. The company says that this setup will yield about 300 miles of range, though we won't know the official EPA numbers for some time, likely until 2026. Perhaps more important than the pure range or horsepower numbers will be what is likely the main value proposition in sea of similarly sized and similarly-priced electric sedans. Afeela plans to woo buyers with several screens hosting movies, games, music, as well as Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Technologies system. An ADAS system dubbed Afeela Intelligent Drive will also be on board, along with a voice-activated personal assistant, though both will require subscriptions. Still, upon launch in 2026 Afeela, will remain a California-only experiment, in a strange way echoing another past Honda sedan that was only available in a handful of West Coast states, and one that remains largely forgotten. The Clarity EV, which was offered for two years starting in 2017, was Honda's midsize electric offering for a short period of time, but one that had been obsolete arguably upon arrival with a range of only 80 miles. Afeela has seen a relatively quick progression from concept to something approaching a production-ready model, so the tech and perhaps the range still promise to be relevant in 2026. But we have to wonder just how much real-world demand in only one US state the brand will be able to generate with a six-figure electric sedan in 2026, especially given the fact that the Honda Prologue is offered on a much wider scale. California is still the country's largest EV market, but it's difficult to picture sales volumes exceeding the mid-four-figures if the sedan stays confined to the Golden State. And the segment itself has already been showing signs of creaking under the weight of all the current choices and their price tags. Honda isn't pinning all of its hopes on the Afeela sedan, with plans to introduce a range of EVs on its own e:Architecture platform in the coming years after borrowing GM's Ultium platform for the Honda Prologue and its Acura twin. Will Afeela be able to set itself apart among its competitors when it arrives in 2026, or are there too many choices in this segment for it to stand out? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
LG Display begins mass production of 40-inch ultra-large automotive display
LG Display has commenced mass production of what it claims to be the industry's first 40-inch Pillar to Pillar (P2P) automotive display. This move aligns with the company's efforts to expand production of premium automotive displays to drive the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era. Designed to provide a personalised infotainment experience for both drivers and passengers, the P2P display spans the entire width of the dashboard, covering the driver's and front passenger's seating area. The P2P display, which is an ultra-large automotive panel, enables multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously. These include a digital dashboard, navigation, climate control, entertainment, and gaming, without the need for screen transitions. This feature is intended to improve user convenience and accessibility compared to conventional automotive displays, where essential information may be obscured when switching between functions. To address driver safety concerns, the display incorporates Switchable Privacy Mode (SPM), a viewing angle control technology developed by LG Display. This allows the front passenger to watch videos or play games without distracting the driver, as the screen remains invisible from the driver's seat. In addition, the display features local dimming technology, which reduces heat generation and power consumption while enhancing energy efficiency—particularly relevant for electric vehicles. The design also minimises the need for physical buttons, allowing for a more streamlined and digital interface for vehicle control. The first vehicle set to incorporate LG Display's 40-inch P2P technology is Sony Honda Mobility's electric sedan Afeela. This model integrates Sony's IT and entertainment technologies with Honda's automotive expertise, with the ultra-large display expected to enhance AI-driven driver assistance and entertainment functions. LG Display Auto Business Group head Keuk-sang Kwon said: 'Based on our industry-leading proprietary technology, outstanding product competitiveness, and stable supply capabilities, we will continue to present innovative solutions that provide differentiated customer value in the SDV era.' "LG Display begins mass production of 40-inch ultra-large automotive display " was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sony teases first of-its-kind EV collaboration packed with high-tech features: 'Revolutionize the travel experience'
This electric vehicle will feature some of the most advanced self-driving technology on the market. Sony and Honda have been developing a brand-new EV, and it's expected to hit the market next year. The Sony-Honda Afeela 1 is an electric sedan equipped with a personal AI agent, high-quality spatial audio technology, a customizable interior, and the North American standard charger. The car even has a screen that can display its charging status, a short message, and "real-time weather, traffic, sports results, and trending information," per Sony-Honda Mobility. Perhaps the most notable attribute is the sedan's self-driving technology. The Afeela is equipped with "a total of 40 sensors, including 18 cameras, 1 LIDAR array, nine radar sets and 12 ultrasonic sensors," according to InsideEVs. The Afeela 1 starts at $102,000, making it one of the most expensive EVs out there. A cheaper version will be released a year later, priced at $86,000. The average cost of a new EV is around $50,000, and that is significantly declining each year. And while these tech features are innovative and promising, the EV doesn't quite measure up in terms of range and charging speed. With an estimated 300-mile range and 150-kilowatt charging speed, "the Afeela 1 [is] far behind many modern EV competitors, especially around that price tag," per InsideEVs. Reserving the upcoming EV will cost $200, though that fee is refundable. Interestingly, Afeela is only taking reservations from California residents. Driving an electric vehicle can save you hundreds of dollars a year on gas. The average EV driver saves "around $116 each month by switching to an EV," SaveOnEnergy calculated. If you're looking for an exact figure, the Department of Energy offers a free tool to help you calculate just how much you'd save on gas by switching to an electric vehicle. Would you trust a self-driving car on a busy city street? Definitely No way Depends on the brand Depends on the situation Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Plus, EVs are much better for the environment than their gas-powered counterparts. Electric vehicles emit no tailpipe pollution, unlike gas-powered cars, which produce nearly 30% of the United States' planet-warming gas emissions. And though the production processes for EVs do use resources, they're still far more sustainable than that of gas automobiles. Yasuhide Mizuno, chairperson and CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, believes the car will "revolutionize the travel experience." "We are very pleased to unveil AFEELA 1, developed for the era of autonomous driving," Mizuno said. "... AFEELA 1 can be called a buddy, combining advanced software with meticulously refined hardware. We will meet our customers' expectations by providing a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
