CES Updates with Steve Greenfield, Afeela Details, Self-Driving Ubers, 25% EV in 2025

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As all the announcements from CES roll in, we’ve got Steve Greenfield back again to break it all down. We cover the details of Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela, plus talk about how Uber and Lyft are moving towards autonomy and how 25% of cars sold in 2025 will be EV.

News out of CES yesterday: Sony Honda Mobility is the latest brand to bypass dealership networks to sell its first electric sedan. The Afeela 1 will be sold exclusively online, allowing customers to handle everything from reservations to purchases through the brand’s website.

• The EV, priced at $89,000 for the Origin trim and $102,900 for the Signature trim, includes cutting-edge features like 40 sensors, AI integration, and Qualcomm's advanced semiconductor tech.
• California will be the launch market, with reservations open now. Afeela Studios in Torrance and Fremont will offer test drives and serve as delivery hubs, providing Northern and Southern California customers a physical interaction point.
• The vehicles will be assembled at a Honda factory in Ohio, leveraging Honda's established manufacturing expertise.
• Owners can get service through Crash Champions, a nationwide network of collision repair centers, ensuring comprehensive support across 650 locations in 38 states.

Uber and Lyft are embracing the driverless future by adapting their platforms and infrastructure to integrate autonomous vehicles from companies like Waymo and May Mobility.

• Uber and Lyft apps will include some rider controls for driverless taxis, including adjusting car temperature, honking horns, and opening trunks remotely.
• Both companies are converting locations into depots equipped with chargers, high-speed internet, and facilities to maintain lidar, cameras, and other tech critical for autonomous vehicles.
• Uber will offer Waymo rides in Austin and Atlanta, while Lyft plans to deploy May Mobility’s autonomous taxis in Atlanta. Both aim to capitalize on partnerships with established robotaxi providers.
• Riders are warming up to driverless taxis, with Waymo seeing rapid adoption in San Francisco. Lyft CEO David Risher says these vehicles are expanding the ride-hailing market by attracting curious users.

The year 2025 is set to mark a turning point for electric vehicles, as they transition from niche products to mainstream choices, driven by improving affordability, expanded options, and growing consumer adoption.

• One in four vehicles sold in 2025 is projected to be electrified, with pure EVs making up 10% of new car sales, an increase from 7.5% in 2024.
• Fifteen new EV models will launch this year, offering a wide range of options.
• Declining auto loan rates, better credit availability, and manufacturer incentives are expected to boost EV affordability, empowering more buyers.
• Sales of used EVs are forecast to hit 20.1 million units, the highest since 2021, thanks to advancements in battery technology that improve range and reliability.

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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