I'm not anticipating significant automotive announcements at CES 2026, but that's precisely what you should hope for.

      A new year is approaching, and the countdown to CES 2026 has officially started. CES represents a crucial period for tech news, particularly in the automotive sector. As car manufacturers strive to present themselves more like technology firms and incorporate additional software-driven features into their vehicles, CES has become a strong competitor to auto shows for major announcements.

      We anticipate this trend to persist this year, but with a focus on commercialization in conjunction with exciting announcements. This indicates updates on the introduction of new electric vehicles (EVs) into production, along with the advancement of buzzworthy technologies like robotics and autonomous driving. The key term here is “development,” as companies are now engaged in the less glamorous task of transforming their high-profile announcements from previous years into tangible products.

      **Sony Honda Mobility**

      Sony Honda Mobility

      This collaboration between tech giant Sony and automaker Honda has confirmed that it will showcase a “pre-production” model of its Afeela 1 EV and “a brand new concept model.” At CES 2025, Sony Honda Mobility presented a version of the Afeela 1 that was nearly production-ready, demonstrating its infotainment system. The new car brand also disbursed pricing information and began accepting reservations for the sedan, which is expected to launch in California in 2026.

      It is not clear how this version of the Afeela 1 (shown here) will differ from the one displayed at CES 2025. That model already appeared to be ready for production, equipped with integrated sensors to support driver-assist technologies, and lacked the typical concept-car elements such as absent mirrors and oversized wheels. Representatives from Sony Honda Mobility also noted that the interior design, focused on a continuous screen from door to door, was not a preliminary version.

      As for the new concept vehicle, it may hint at a second production model. Prior to its partnership with Honda, Sony showcased two concept vehicles of its own — the Vision S sedan and Vision S-02 SUV. Sony Honda Mobility might be considering progressing with the latter. However, since Honda is providing the foundational platform and is responsible for manufacturing the vehicles while scaling back its EV ambitions, it could be prudent to concentrate on successfully launching the Afeela 1 before pursuing an additional EV.

      **BMW**

      BMW

      BMW is on the exhibitor list for CES 2026, but had not disclosed what it would present at the time of writing. The Bavarian automaker had a notable year, beginning with the introduction of its Panoramic Vision display at CES 2025 and culminating in the unveiling of the iX3 electric SUV at the 2025 IAA Mobility show. The iX3 marks the first of BMW’s next-generation “Neue Klasse” EVs. The name translates to “new class” in German and signifies a dedicated EV architecture and component set, representing a significant shift from BMW's current strategy of constructing EVs on internal-combustion architectures.

      The goal is for the Neue Klasse to encompass a range of models, and CES presents a suitable venue for revealing the successor to the iX3. BMW briefly teased a camouflaged electric sedan, reviving the i3 name that was previously associated with an eclectic electric hatchback, during the iX3 global reveal. Beneath the camouflage, a production-ready version of the Vision Neue Klasse concept first revealed by BMW in 2023 is expected. We may see the new i3 in its uncovered form at CES.

      **Hyundai**

      Hyundai

      Hyundai’s CES participation will reportedly highlight not cars, but the robots involved in their production. According to Korean Car Blog, CES will mark the public introduction of the Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, a Hyundai subsidiary. If it proves commercially feasible, Hyundai claims Atlas could collaborate with humans in factories and other industrial environments. Currently, this also provides Hyundai with a means to capitalize on the growing fascination with humanoid robots sparked by Tesla.

      Robots have long been present in automotive manufacturing, but traditionally in stationary roles performing simple, repetitive tasks without human interaction. Boston Dynamics is gradually changing this with its well-known Spot robots conducting quality inspections at Hyundai’s “Metaplant” in Georgia, as well as Stretch, which aids warehouse staff. The automaker needs to identify more use cases to validate its investment in Boston Dynamics. Thus, Hyundai’s CES 2026 presentation could define a more specific role for Atlas beyond being a “cool-looking robot.”

      **What Else to Expect**

      Zoox

      CES is known as the Consumer Electronics Show, not the Consumer Auto Show. While more consumer-oriented news has emerged in recent years, it has always been a smaller portion compared to the electronics sector, where CES offers one of the few opportunities for companies to create a significant impression. Automakers also have standalone reveals and, to a lesser extent, auto shows for their announcements.

      The expected news highlighted here will merely scratch the surface. For each automaker present at CES, there are multiple