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Crafting the Future of Mobility: AFEELA 1’s Production Journey Begins in Ohio
In a heartland of American manufacturing, a new chapter in mobility has begun. At our contract manufacturing partner Honda’s Ohio-based East Liberty Auto Plant, renowned for over 35 years of automotive craftsmanship, pre-production trials of AFEELA 1 are underway. This marks a major milestone for Sony Honda Mobility as we bring our vision to life.
Leveraging Honda’s expertise as our contract manufacturing partner, combined with Sony Honda Mobility’s additional quality standards and inspections based on our standards, we are committed to delivering AFEELA 1’s design with exceptional precision and refined quality. The journey toward this vision has already begun in Ohio.
Shugo Yamaguchi, President and CEO, Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc.
Precision in Progress: AFEELA 1 Pre-Production Trials
Pre-production trials are a foundational step in delivering the uncompromising quality AFEELA stands for. During this phase, the team at the East Liberty Auto Plant verifies part compatibility, assembly precision, and paint quality to ensure production readiness at the highest standards.
The AFEELA 1 pre-production trials demonstrate acute attention to detail. Teams at the plant adjust panel gaps to sub-millimeter precision while skilled technicians carefully inspect each component and process, engaging in detailed discussions to identify and solve challenges for mass production.
This meticulous process underpins the craftmanship of AFEELA. At the production site, custom-built jigs developed exclusively for AFEELA 1 enable unparalleled precision and consistency. Each step in the manufacturing process contributes to the quality that defines AFEELA.
AFEELA 1’s exterior design is defined by smooth, solid surfaces with minimal lines, which requires uncompromising surface quality.
AFEELA 1’s sleek body is designed to reflect light and mirror its surrounding environment. This feature is due to a specialized polishing process unique to AFEELA which requires continuous refinements, including sanding and paint texture.
We are proud to be entrusted by Sony Honda Mobility to manufacture AFEELA 1 here in Ohio. The quality standards set by Sony Honda Mobility are exceptionally high and challenging, but with over 35 years of automotive experience and craftsmanship, we’re confident in our ability to meet them.
Chris Woodard, Plant Lead of East Liberty Auto Plant, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC
Sony Honda Mobility’s Unique Quality Inspection System
Currently under construction, the Sony Honda Mobility Quality Gate, will serve as the final production checkpoint for AFEELA. After being manufactured, inspected, and shipped from the East Liberty Auto Plant, each vehicle will undergo an additional layer of proprietary quality checks unique to Sony Honda Mobility. Our dedicated Quality Gate reflects our commitment to delivering AFEELA with confidence, quality, and care to customers.
After receiving vehicles that have cleared our contract manufacturing partner Honda’s rigorous inspection process, we will perform additional inspections based on our own standards, focusing on AFEELA’s unique characteristics.
Susan Dulik, Product Quality Manager, Quality Control, Sony Honda Mobility of America Inc.
Future Updates
Mass production of AFEELA 1 is set to begin in 2026. The insights gathered from the pre-production trials are already informing further refinements as the production site in Ohio prepares to launch full-scale production operations.
Sony Honda Mobility will continue to share behind-the-scenes looks at development and manufacturing as we approach AFEELA 1 delivery. Stay tuned for more updates on the new mobility experience that Sony Honda Mobility aims to create.
The specifications and service contents of the products described in the article are as of the published date and are subject to change without notice.
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