• by Tanya Gazdik , January 5, 2022

While some of the announcements shifted from onstage to online, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was still a catalyst for plenty of automotive news. 

General Motors Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra's presentation Wednesday was online instead of onstage and included the reveal of the 2024 Silverado EV, which will have a GM-estimated 400-mile range on a full charge. The automaker is now taking reservations for the pickup truck at Chevrolet.com.

Barra outlined the waves of change coming as society moves toward the mass adoption of electric vehicles.

“As we implement our growth strategy, we have an opportunity and, frankly, a responsibility to create a better future for generations to come,” Barra said. “We’re demonstrating what’s possible when innovators and problem solvers embrace opportunities, have the tools and technology and deploy them with unmatched speed and scale.”

Chevrolet announced it will further expand its EV lineup to include a Blazer EV SUV, which will be available in spring 2023, and an Equinox EV, a compact SUV, available in fall 2023. Cadillac, GM’s luxury brand, unveiled the InnerSpace concept, a two-passenger electric and autonomous luxury vehicle.

BrightDrop, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, announced it is adding Walmart to its growing roster of customers, and expanding its relationship with FedEx. Walmart signed an agreement to reserve 5,000 of BrightDrop’s EV600 and smaller EV410 electric delivery vans while FedEx has signed an agreement with BrightDrop reserving priority production for 2,000 electric delivery vans over the next few years. 

BrightDrop publicly launched as a business at CES 2021 and the company’s first EV600 electric light commercial vehicles were delivered to FedEx last month. 

Stellantis’ Chrysler brand revealed the Chrysler Airflow Concept, giving a glimpse at the leading-edge drive-system technology, fully connected customer experiences and advanced mobility features.

Chrysler also announced that the brand’s transformation will include the launch of its first battery-electric vehicle by 2025 and a future all-electric Chrysler vehicle lineup.

Also at the show, BMW presented its Digital Art Mode inside a BMW iX M60. The Digital Art Mode is part of the all-new “My Modes” which aim to  enhance BMW’s driving experience by creating a synergy between the vehicle’s functions and its interior design. 

Hyundai Motor Company shared its vision for pioneering the use of robotics. The automaker’s presentations reflected how the company’s robotics business will drive the shift toward future mobility, going beyond the traditional means of transportation to provide unlimited freedom of movement.

The automaker revealed its Plug & Drive (PnD) modular platform that enables mobility of traditionally inanimate things, from small objects to large community spaces. 

Hyundai created a 2-minute futuristic video to bring some of the concepts to life. An older woman gets into a Personal Mobility cabin which takes her down the side of her high-rise to the street and then moves through the city, connecting to a high-speed platooning Mother Shuttle.