Time-honored American carmakers have been showcasing their latest electric vehicle (EV) models at the highly anticipated Detroit Auto Show in the U.S. state of Michigan, expressing persistent optimism about the future of the inudstry even as consumer adoption slows.
The show, ongoing from Jan 10-20, offers a treasure trove of activities for old-school car enthusiasts. Yet, amid the familiar roar of engines and gleaming chrome, a glimpse of the future is also on display.
Cadillac has brought to viewers the Opulent Velocity, a concept car that won the Detroit Auto Show's EyesOn Design Concept car award. Bryan Nesbitt, head of design at General Motors, which owns Cadillac, articulated the vision behind this luxurious ride.
"This was a concept we built to really look at where we want to take Cadillac, kind of the best integration of technology and innovation, and really how to make it as artful as possible for the consumer," Nesbitt said.
Brands remain hopeful that these sleek designs will attract new consumers to switch over from fossil fuel-powered cars, preventing a plunge in sales as seen in the German market, where EVs have dropped from 19 percent of new car market share in 2023, to 13 percent in 2024.
Sales in the U.S. have not quite plateaued, but they remain well behind the growth seen in China.
"It's still growing at a very rapid pace. It's just not growing as fast as everybody had anticipated initially. And so we just have to recognize that there are a lot of other factors to make that the right propulsion system for all customers. It's part of the natural adoption curve," said Jim Baumbick, Ford's Vice President of Product Development Operations.
Despite these challenges, industry insiders remain optimistic about the long-term allure of EVs.
"If you've had the opportunity to drive EVs, they're pretty convincing. The instant torque, the phenomenal kind of elegance in the power delivery, they are so refined. And you couple that with some batteries that will give you some long range, and you've got something pretty exciting," Nesbitt said.
Detroit Auto Show 2025 highlights future of electric vehicles
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
