LAS VEGAS — The 2024 edition of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is testament to the dramatic changes that will transform transportation. Not all new concepts last long, but it’s interesting to think about what might happen in the future.
Indeed, the rise of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continues unabated, with the federal government forcing the introduction of battery electric vehicles against a backdrop of public reluctance toward infrastructure. This is far from supporting the flood of BEVs that manufacturers are asking manufacturers to sell. But despite Uncle Sam’s unrealistic expectations, automakers are gearing up to please the government and, hopefully, consumers.
Of the automakers in attendance, Honda made the most important announcement, revealing a revised strategy to produce its own BEVs called the Honda 0 (Zero) Series. The line will eventually replace Honda’s current EVs, the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, which were developed using General Motors’ Ultium platform. The Japanese automaker showcased two of his concepts: Saloon and Space Hub. Of his two cars, keep an eye out for the saloon that will arrive in North America in 2026. Although few details were revealed, many observers felt that the car owed much of its design to his 1968-1978 Lamborghini Spada.
Then there’s Vietnamese automaker VinFast, which is currently selling its VF 8 electric crossover utility vehicle in California. His larger three-row VF 9 is expected to be developed in the coming months. The company still has dealerships across the United States, with the latest locations in Kansas, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. But it is clear that they are trying to win over Americans. On display was the medium-sized electric pickup truck “VF Wild,” which is equipped with a mid-gate that opens the cabin to the loading platform and allows the loading of long objects. This is an idea first seen on Chevrolet’s Avalanche.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the concept CLA. The three-pointed star is generously featured, foreshadowing the brand’s upcoming entry-level sedan. The 800-volt architecture allows for 348 miles of charging in 15 minutes, with a WLTP estimated range of 766 miles. Mercedes-Benz also unveiled a disguised rendition of its battery-electric G-Class SUV, which will be sold as the EQG.
Commercial vehicles are also heeding the call for zero emissions.
PACCAR, which manufactures heavy commercial trucks under the DAF, Kenworth, and Peterbilt brands, exhibited its next-generation commercial vehicle. Chief among them is his Kenworth T680, which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and developed in partnership with Toyota. Fuel cells have developed electricity that uses hydrogen to power trucks. It has a range of 450 miles, a maximum gross weight of 82,000 pounds, and can refuel in the same amount of time as a traditional diesel truck.
The company also announced the Peterbilt Super Truck II, which has a clean diesel engine incorporating a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, and the DAF XD battery electric truck for urban and suburban transportation. It can travel 310 miles on a single charge and can be fully charged in less than two hours using 325kW fast charging.
However, commercial vehicles themselves are being reconsidered. To this end, Kia Motors has unveiled its new battery electric concept PV5, the first product in a series of modular vehicles. The PV5 uses a skateboard chassis that allows for interchangeable bodies, giving fleets the flexibility to achieve multiple uses from one chassis. In other words, a vehicle that is a self-driving taxi during the day becomes a delivery van at night. Kia will offer Basic, Van, High Roof, Chassis Cab, and Robotaxi models. PV5 is joined by the larger PV7 and Lilliputian PV1. These vehicles will be produced in South Korea, and annual production is expected to be 150,000 units.
But beyond changes to powertrains and bodies, automakers are changing the driving experience itself.
Beyond self-driving, companies like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are incorporating artificial intelligence and ChatGPT into their digital voice assistants to provide a more natural conversational tone.
And if you think cars that talk back to you are annoying, Chinese automaker Nio is trying to solve that problem with NOMI, a digital assistant built into a rotating billiard ball atop the instrument panel. The front has a screen with eyes and the ability to display graphics that amplify its content. Rotate towards the passenger who is talking to you. It’s creepy, but cute.
Then there’s Mercedes-Benz, which, with ambitions far beyond any other automaker, announced MBUX Sound Drive, a software update to the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz operating system. This new feature was developed in collaboration with will.i.am, a rapper who was present at the software launch. Uniquely, acceleration, steering, braking and energy regeneration are interpreted by his MBUX Sound Drive using sensors and software inside the car. It turns into music of any music genre. Mercedes-Benz wants to develop MBUX Sound Drive as a new music platform.
Meanwhile, BMW believes it can use augmented reality glasses to keep us entertained and streaming by providing information about navigation, traffic hazards, points of interest, and entertainment while driving.
Remember when driving a car was all the entertainment most of us needed? That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
Larry Prinz is an automotive journalist based in South Florida. Readers can email TheDrivingPrintz@gmail.com.