TL;DR
Automakers were largely absent from CES 2026’s vehicle floor as the industry’s technological and geographic center moves toward China. The Las Vegas show featured more software, AI and robotics announcements than new consumer cars, with key players pointing to Shanghai and IAA as the new stages for automotive debuts.
What happened
Once a must-attend for carmakers, CES in 2026 had comparatively few production vehicles on display. Instead, the show highlighted chips, AI models and robots: Nvidia introduced Alpamayo for autonomous driving, BMW said its in-car assistant would adopt Alexa+, and Hyundai demonstrated Atlas, a humanoid intended for factory work. Ford revealed plans for eyes-off, hands-free driving on a new Universal EV Platform in 2028 and described a consolidated in-vehicle high-performance compute center. A collaborative robotaxi from Lucid, Nuro and Uber was among the few vehicle reveals, and Sony and Honda again previewed the Afeela 1, saying customer deliveries will arrive later this year. Industry analysts at the show argued that the auto sector’s momentum has shifted to China, where faster development cycles, rising EV volumes and large domestic showcases are redefining where manufacturers choose to unveil new models.
Why it matters
- Global auto launches and R&D are increasingly centered in China, changing where manufacturers stage major reveals.
- CES is reflecting a broader shift from vehicle debuts to software, AI and robotics in automotive presentations.
- Faster Chinese development cycles could outpace traditional manufacturers’ product timelines and trade-show calendars.
- A weakening U.S. EV market and policy shifts are influencing what U.S. and foreign makers bring to American tech shows.
Key facts
- Automotive displays at CES 2026 focused more on AI, chips and robotics than on new consumer cars.
- Nvidia introduced Alpamayo, a model aimed at autonomous driving that emphasizes reasoning in addition to perception.
- BMW will integrate Alexa+ into its in-car Intelligent Personal Assistant.
- Ford announced eyes-off, hands-free driving for its Universal EV Platform in 2028 and described a unified in-vehicle compute center.
- Hyundai publicly demonstrated Atlas, a humanoid robot intended for manufacturing environments.
- A robotaxi developed by Lucid, Nuro and Uber was one of the few vehicle reveals at CES.
- Sony and Honda again showed the Afeela 1 and said customer deliveries are expected later in the year.
- Global electric vehicle sales rose by more than 20% last year and BYD has overtaken Tesla in scale.
- Analysts cited a shorter R&D-to-delivery cycle in China (about two years) compared with an industry average of around seven years.
- Some U.S. brands, including Jeep and Chrysler, announced they are discontinuing plug-in hybrid production in the U.S.
What to watch next
- Customer delivery timeline and market reception for the Sony–Honda Afeela 1 later this year.
- Ford’s rollout of eyes-off, hands-free driving and its Universal EV Platform beginning in 2028.
- Whether Chinese automakers expand outside China by using events such as IAA or other European shows to reach international buyers.
Quick glossary
- CES: An annual consumer electronics trade show held in Las Vegas where companies traditionally showcase new technologies and products.
- ADAS: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems; technologies that help drivers with tasks such as lane keeping, braking and adaptive cruise control.
- Robotaxi: A vehicle designed to operate as an autonomous ride-hailing taxi, often without a human driver.
- Software-defined vehicle: A car whose features and capabilities are largely determined and updated via software rather than hardware changes.
- EV: Electric vehicle; a car powered wholly or partly by electricity rather than internal combustion engines.
Reader FAQ
Why were so few new cars shown at CES 2026?
Industry observers at CES said the automotive center of gravity has shifted toward China, and manufacturers are emphasizing software and AI over traditional vehicle debuts.
Were there any notable automotive announcements at CES?
Yes. Highlights included Nvidia's Alpamayo model for autonomous driving, BMW adopting Alexa+ in its assistant, Ford's 2028 eyes-off driving plan, Hyundai's Atlas robot, and a Lucid–Nuro–Uber robotaxi.
Is BYD now bigger than Tesla?
The source reports that BYD has overtaken Tesla.
Did Chinese automakers attend CES in force?
The source indicates Chinese OEMs were largely absent and that many cannot launch vehicles in the U.S. right now.
JEREMY WHITE GEAR JAN 10, 2026 5:30 AM Where Are All the New Cars? New cars were scant at CES this year, largely because the center of gravity for the…
Sources
- Where Are All the New Cars?
- Chinese automakers fill CES void as Ford, GM …
- Autonomy and AI dominate CES as traditional automakers …
- 15 Coolest Finds from CES 2026
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