SEATTLE — Sony Honda Mobility, which is working to raise awareness of its future joint venture brand Afeela, unveiled a prototype at the entrance to one of the world's largest companies, Amazon.com Inc.
A prototype of Afeela was on display at the expo the week of September 9 in a spacious space located between Amazon's headquarters and “The Spheres” – a visually impressive complex of three glass domes.
The electric car will use Amazon Web Services cloud technologies.
Ozzie Morrow, marketing partnerships manager for Sony Honda Mobility, said the brand has organized private demonstrations for Amazon employees to get a feel for the electric vehicle's technology and the many screens inside.
“It's a great idea to give them the opportunity to come in person and see the vehicle on their own campus and get feedback from the staff,” Morrow said.
The company also held a networking event in Seattle where senior Amazon executives were able to interact with Sony Honda Mobility representatives, Morrow said.
Sony Honda Mobility has held similar demonstrations at Qualcomm, Sony Pictures and Sony North America, Morrow said.
As part of a marketing partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers this summer, Sony Honda Mobility unveiled a prototype of the Afeela at Dodger Stadium.
Morrow said Sony Honda Mobility plans to hold more on-site prototype demonstrations in the future.
The company unveiled its electric vehicle prototype at CES in 2023 and said pre-orders would begin in 2025, with deliveries in spring 2026. It is expected to be built at a plant in Ohio, the center of Honda's U.S. manufacturing presence.
Sony Honda Mobility has not yet revealed how it plans to sell Afeela cars.