Verizon and KDDI partnered to connect high-tech AFEELA electric vehicle

TJ Fox expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with AFEELA and KDDI

Verizon and KDDI have announced a collaboration to introduce advanced connected car capabilities to the inaugural mass-produced electric vehicle under the AFEELA brand in the United States. This partnership will facilitate cellular connectivity and advanced mobility features for the first AFEELA mass-produced electric vehicle in the United States, leveraging Verizon’s 5G and 4G LTE networks alongside KDDI’s Global Communications Platform to support car connectivity. The AFEELA brand, a venture of Sony Honda Mobility, was unveiled at CES 2023. AFEELA embodies an interactive relationship where people 'FEEL' mobility as an intelligent entity, utilizing sensing and network IT technologies to integrate mobility into society. The mass-produced model is slated for launch in 2025, with North American deliveries commencing in spring 2026.

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM), a collaboration between Sony Group and Honda, was established in September 2022 for the joint development and sale of high-value-added electric vehicles (EVs) and mobility services. With a mission to "move people through innovation inspired by diversity," SHM aims to lead the mobility sector as a mobility tech company. Kojiro Okabe, Director, and Executive Vice President of Sony Honda Mobility Inc., emphasized the importance of consistent vehicle connectivity to networks for AFEELA's vision of mobility as a creative entertainment space. Satoshi Oishi, CEO of KDDI America, Inc., highlighted the significance of their global communications platform combined with Verizon's network in reshaping the connected car market in the United States. He expressed honor in contributing to a project aiming for global connectivity of electric vehicles.