CES 2022: Smaller, but still excellent

CES Chief Gary Shapiro, at the helm of the American industry association CTA, hoped for a grand comeback of CES – it turned out to be a modest one. At the last moment, well-known exhibitors such as BMW, Daimler, Google, Amazon, and GM switched to online presentations or canceled entirely. Accordingly, the usually crowded halls were sparsely populated, with some only featuring QR codes with links to online information instead of physical exhibits. Nonetheless, according to CTA, more than 2,300 exhibitors attended – compared to over 4,400 in 2020. The number of journalists saw an even more drastic decline: Instead of 6,500 as in 2020, only 1,800 were on-site.

However, those present, such as Stellantis, Sony, Samsung, and Hyundai, received even more attention for their products – and the digital presentations from BMW and Daimler were also well-received. As many tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Twitter didn't participate at all, mobility was even more present – especially since a dedicated hall for mobility was set up in the Convention Center for the first time.

The Hyundai Group showcased in grand style again

As always, Hyundai made a big splash – in full corporate strength! The division Hyundai Heavy Industries showcased small robotic utility vehicles, bots as kitchen helpers, and a model of a huge solar ship. Additionally, a yellow robo-dog from American robo-developer Boston Dynamics – which has been part of the group since 2020 – was unleashed. Hyundai Mobis, the mobility subsidiary, was also strongly represented, displaying a compact electric van designed to be integrated into logistics chains – similar to what Renault demonstrated at the IAA with its subsidiary Mobilize.

Stellantis was also back, sticking to its large, circular stand. While Citroen and Fiat presented virtually, Chrysler was physically present alongside some Jeep and Fiat models. The new centerpiece was the Airflow – a crucial impetus for Chrysler, a brand that hasn't had anything new for years and only has two models left. The Airflow platform will also serve as the basis for further models within the Stellantis Group. The Jeep study "Magneto," with a manual transmission and manually operated gearbox, drew attention – otherwise the presentation was as conservative as usual.

New car exhibitors: Togg and Vinfast from Turkey and Vietnam

The Vietnamese manufacturer Vinfast made a grand appearance with the electric models VF 5, VF 6, and VF 7. Additionally, the VF 8 and VF 9, which are expected to enter the German market at the end of 2022 with a long ten-year(!) warranty. The Vietnamese made another significant announcement regarding future car assembly in Germany.

The Turkish electric car manufacturer Togg also had a strong presence, clothing its models like Vinfast through Pininfarina, leading to a distant optical resemblance. Production and export are planned for this year. The Turks also see themselves as comprehensive mobility providers, integrating vehicles into car-sharing systems.

Sony seems serious about car manufacturing

Sony appears serious about car manufacturing, evidenced by the fact that several production-ready models were showcased at their stand: Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida unveiled an SUV alongside the Vision S sedan.

Which brings us to the start-ups: Henrik Fisker rolled out again with his "Ocean," which had its trade fair appearance in Los Angeles within just a few months. And Edison Future showed a van and a large pick-up.

Big stage for John Deere and Bobcat

Also appearing live on-site again with a big performance was John Deere, where they showcased an autonomous tractor, while construction machinery expert Bobcat presented a semi-autonomous excavator. "Autonomy" and "AI" were big topics overall: There were new chips, sensors, and LiDAR systems, often installed in trucks that mostly roll straight for thousands of miles on US highways and rarely turn off the highway. And that’s why it also became clear that the topic of autonomous driving still needs a bit more time: Complex traffic situations still cause confusion for the systems or slow down their processes – even at Tesla: Here, they started the "Las Vegas Loop" – with "real" drivers at the wheel, because the city has not yet approved the underground "Loop" for autonomous driving – which is why Elon Musk stayed discreetly in the background at CES.

What does that mean?

In terms of mobility, CES was once again interesting – and offered those who came greater visibility than usual – which some "newcomers" also took advantage of. Along with many exciting "sidekicks," CES could therefore also be worth a trip again in 2023.