880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
CES continues to be an important venue for many automotive and vehicle technology suppliers and decision makers, according to data recently released by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which produces CES.
“Our annual show audit proves CES is where business gets done,” said Gary Shapiro. CEO, CTA. “Executives and business decision makers see the value in face-to-face meetings and access to global media, which only a show like CES can provide. Nothing can replace these moments of serendipity.”
Independent audit
Following a third-party audit of attendee information for CES 2024 conducted by the Alliance for Audited Media, attendance for the show grew 15% as the show – called “the world’s most powerful tech event” – also grew in importance as a venue for automotive and mobility suppliers.
Here are some of the highlighted numbers from CES 2024:
For the compete audit report on CES 2024, click here.
Vehicle Tech continues to grow
In 2024, advanced vehicle technology captured a lot of attention at CES 2024 (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas as the show continued its post-COVID resurgence with 15% greater attendance, 10% more exhibitors and 11% more media attending than in 2023.
Much of that growth in attendees, exhibitors and exhibitor space came from the advanced vehicle technology and mobility space, as the number of exhibitors in this category more than doubled to over 700.
As a business-to-business show, CES seems to be bucking the trend at traditional auto shows, which are focusing more on attracting consumers and car-buyers, and may have lost some of their luster for many of the top automakers and their tier one suppliers. In fact, you could argue that CES has won a position as one of the world’s largest and fastest growing global automotive, mobility and transportation events.
What the media says about CES
Here’s what veteran automotive analyst, journalist and Autoline host John McElroy said about CES 2024:
“At a time when most auto shows have withered in grandeur and media relevance, CES has emerged as the most important auto show in the world. No, CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show), is not an auto show. But the automotive sector at CES gets more support and coverage from automakers, suppliers, analysts and media than any other auto show outside of China.”
Automotive News executive editor Jamie Butters wrote of CES 2024: “The reason the show is so valuable is that the 100,000-plus people who come here from across a range of industries around the world included a lot of smart people from up and down and across the industry. It was a chance to touch base, talk about priorities for the new year and far beyond …”
Automakers versus suppliers
Although all but one of the world’s top five automakers did not participate in CES this year, citing various reasons from budget to strike costs, their competitors – such as BMW, Caterpillar, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, PACCAR, and upstart Vinfast – found CES 2024 enabled them to capture more attention, more media coverage and greater opportunity to share their vision of the future with decision makers, government officials, thought leaders and other attendees.
In 2024, the number of automotive and vehicle technology suppliers grew significantly over 2023 – effectively doubling from 300+ in 2023 to more than 700.
These ran the gamut from EV components and charging systems, to lidar and other sensing technologies that enable automated (ADAS) and autonomous driving, from hardware to software-defined vehicle offerings, from the automotive ethernet and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) to connected car technology, and from advanced interior concepts for EVs and AVs to new approaches for smarter navigation, vehicle safety, convenience and entertainment.
Some of the top-tier automotive suppliers exhibiting there expertise at CES 2024 were companies including: 3M, American Axle & Manufacturing, Aptiv, AVL, Bosch, Bridgestone, Continental, Covestro, Denso, Eaton, FEV, Forvia, Gentex, Goodyear, IAV, Mando, Magna, Mahle, Marelli, Plastic Omnium, Valeo, Yazaki, and (BPR client) Yanfeng.
At CES 2024, Yanfeng debuted its EVI (Electric Vehicle Interior) concept.
Should a vehicle technology supplier participate in CES?
From a PR and media relations viewpoint, there were more than 25,000 pieces of content or stories that generated upwards of 160 billion media impressions for CES and its exhibitors. And on social media, there were 534,000 CES mentions with a reach of 28.5 billion – which is a LOT of attention!
So, looking at all the numbers of CES 2024 …
If your company wants to step onto a global technology stage that’s unmatched outside of China …
If your executives and decision makers want to meet, mingle and network with some of the top minds in the automotive and mobility sectors and government …
If you want to expose your company’s technology that can make tomorrow’s vehicles safer, smarter, cleaner, more efficient, more comfortable, more reliable or more fun …
You might sign up now for an exhibit at CES 2025, before the show is sold out. You can start by going here.
CES is not for everybody. It can be a very competitive environment for attention. It can be expensive. It can be a lot of work. It can be a logistical nightmare. And it can make all the difference for your company.
For insights gained over our multiple years of supporting clients there about how you can make the most out of your presence at CES 2025 with PR and media relations, contact us at bianchipr@bianchipr.com or call +1 248-269-1122.
Author: Jim Bianchi
As president of Bianchi PR, Jim has helped B2B automotive and industrial suppliers to raise awareness and win business for more than 40 years. He has also attended and worked CES many times.
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880 W. Long Lake Road • Suite 225 •
Troy, Michigan 48098
• P: 248.269.1122 •
E: bianchipr@bianchipr.com
