What Automakers Are Doing At CES 2022

The 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is finally happening but most brands have had their plans scuffled thanks to the fresh outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID19. The world's biggest tech trade show these days is also one of the biggest automotive spectacles as auto companies transition to tech mobility companies. CES has also announced that it is shutting one day earlier thanks to the new surge of infections thanks to the highly infectious Omicron variant. Most tech majors have actually pulled out of the event but automakers are trying to adopt a hybrid strategy. This comes after the likes of Waymo which is owned by Google parent Alphabet also dropped out of the trade show. 

Mercedes showcased the Vision Avtar concept at CES a couple of years ago

German Giants Going The Livestream Way 

BWM has canceled its in-person CES activities and now it hosts a live-streamed event that will be hosted from Germany itself.  BWM is expected to showcase a new theatre screen that could be part of the next-generation 7-series. It also is expected to show off a car with colour changing paint. The Bavarian carmaker is joined by its rival from Stuttgart as Mercedes has also taken a similar decision in light of the health and safety concerns. There will be an unveiling of the Vision EQXX car later tonight a couple of days ahead of the main CES keynote.  Both the German giants have usually had a huge presence at CES in the last few years, but this year because of Omicron, plans are again changing on the fly. 

GM also goes virtual 

American giant General Motors which has always had a huge presence at CES has also opted for an all-digital approach. On January 5, as a part of a virtual event, it is expected to showcase a Chevrolet Silverado EV. GM is also hosting some in-person meetings as well via its BrightDrop unit which will be showcasing its EV600 commercial electric vehicle. BrightDrop will also be hosting a virtual press conference. 

Fisker Ocean ADAS Tech 

Henrik Fisker's Fisker Ocean which is being manufactured by Foxconn will also make itself felt at CES 2022. At the conference, Fisker is expected to showcase a new ADAS system that will be using a new 4D radar and there will be virtual and in-person meetings for the same.