America Is Falling Behind in the Global EV Race. That's Going to Cost the US Auto Industry

America is falling behind in the global EV race. That's going to cost the US auto industry

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.

America is falling behind in the global EV race – that’s going to cost the US auto industry

Trucks and SUVs dominate U.S. auto sales and set the tone for the Detroit Auto Show in January 2026, while overseas EV sales are booming. Bill Pugliano/Getty ImagesAt 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, hel…

The 2026 Detroit Auto Show: A celebration of industrial resilience

On Jan. 17, the annual Detroit Auto Show was opened to public viewing, drawing locals and out-of-state residents alike to marvel at the curated displays of designer vehicles, be chauffeured along high-speed tracks and experience product features firsthand.  This year’s showing, held at the Huntington Place convention center in Detroit from Jan. 17 to 25, showcased both the resilience of statewide auto innovation and the important transnational l…