"At the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, the spotlight quietly shifted. Electric vehicles, once framed as the inevitable future of the industry, were no longer the centerpiece. Instead, automakers emphasized hybrids, updated gasoline models and incremental efficiency improvements. The show, held in January, reflected an industry recalibration happening in real time: Ford and General Motors had recently announced $19.5 billion and $6 billion in EV-related write-downs, respectively, reflecting the losses they expect as they unwind or delay parts of their electric vehicle plans."
"The message from Detroit was unmistakable: The U.S. is pulling back from a transition that much of the world is accelerating. That retreat carries consequences far beyond showroom floors. In China, Europe, and a growing number of emerging markets, including Vietnam and Indonesia, electric vehicles now make up a higher share of new passenger vehicle sales than in the United States."
Automakers emphasized hybrids, updated gasoline models and incremental efficiency improvements rather than electric vehicles at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show. Ford and General Motors recorded $19.5 billion and $6 billion in EV-related write-downs as they unwind or delay parts of their electric vehicle plans. The United States is pulling back from an EV transition while China, Europe, Vietnam and Indonesia record higher EV shares of new passenger vehicle sales. Global EV registrations rose 20% to 20.7 million in 2025, with China at 12.9 million and Europe at 4.3 million. Slower U.S. EV production risks higher prices, delayed battery and software improvements, and loss of future automotive value creation.
Read at Fast Company
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