At CES 2026, software-defined vehicles (SDV) transitioned from futuristic concepts to practical realities, signaling a significant evolution in automotive technology. Enhanced autonomous driving chips and integrated AI are enabling vehicles to become mobile AI platforms, fundamentally changing production and consumer relationships within the industry.
CES has increasingly become a key platform for the automotive industry, often dubbed an alternative auto show in recent years due to the rising presence of car-related technologies. From concept vehicles and autonomous driving to electrification, automakers' displays frequently outshine traditional consumer electronics.
As the world's largest market for electric vehicles, China is quietly rewriting the competitive logic of the global automotive industry. By redefining technical thresholds, Beijing is exerting a form of "soft power" that transcends its borders, forcing automakers from Detroit to Wolfsburg to rethink how they build cars for the world.
The surge in global artificial intelligence data centers (AIDCs) revealed at CES 2026 highlights a pivotal shift in energy consumption patterns. From autonomous vehicles to smart healthcare, these technologies increasingly depend on robust energy infrastructure, transforming traditional power supply dynamics. The growth of energy storage systems (ESS) now surpasses electric vehicle (EV) batteries, marking a new chapter in the energy transformation landscape.
At the opening of his keynote, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered a stark message: the world's US$10 trillion computing infrastructure is entering a fundamental modernization phase, driven by two platform shifts unfolding in parallel.
China's largest battery maker, CATL, said it had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio, deepening ties between two of the country's most influential players in the EV ecosystem.
Tex Year Industries has just about completed its layout in specialty adhesives, materials, and chemicals for the AI and optoelectronics industries. It expects to see a significant increase in shipments and double-digit growth in 2026. This year, Tex Year will focus on five areas: AI cloud data centers, EVs, drones, smartphones, and Mini LED displays.
At CES 2026 in the US, NXP showcased a comprehensive display area at the LVCC central plaza, highlighting its latest automotive computing processors, including the recently launched S32N7 and multiple module solutions. These modules are supplied largely by Taiwanese electronics giants such as Pegatron, Quanta, and Delta, underscoring Taiwan's growing influence in the automotive electronics market.
As the transformation of the auto industry comes into sharper focus, CES in Las Vegas has quietly evolved from a technology showcase into a bellwether for the global car business. In recent years, CES was often jokingly described as a "world-class auto show," dominated by demonstrations of the industry's shift from internal combustion engines to electric drivetrains. However, starting in 2025, the frenzy of brand and component competition began to cool. By CES 2026, the center of gravity had unmistakably shifted.
China's market for imported passenger cars continues to shrink, underscoring a profound shift in consumer preferences and industrial power. According to the latest data from the China Automobile Dealers Association, cumulative passenger car imports totaled about 440,000 vehicles through November 2025. This represents a decline of 29.7% from a year earlier.
Samsung Electronics is positioning its contract chipmaking business to win automotive orders, a move industry analysts view as a practical entry point into the emerging "Physical AI" market. While TSMC remains the leader in AI processors for data centers, Samsung is focusing on the specific demands of vehicles and robotics.
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