Episode #233 - CES 2026: When AI, Robots, and China Took Over the Auto Narrative

Kicking off 2026, Tu and Lei return from CES in Las Vegas with firsthand insights into how the global auto industry’s center of gravity continues to shift toward China, AI, autonomy, and robotics.  

This episode unpacks why CES is no longer about cars, but about who controls the software, silicon, sensors, and robots that will define the next decade of mobility. From Geely and Great Wall’s growing U.S. ambitions, to Hyundai’s robot-only keynote, to Ford’s quiet but meaningful autonomy reset, the hosts connect dots that most headlines missed.

Tu and Lei also break down the Geely “coming to the U.S.” scoop, Rivian-style AI days spreading to legacy OEMs, and why Western automakers are increasingly borrowing from China’s playbook—from ADAS and silicon strategy to embodied AI and robotics.

The episode closes with a deep dive into autonomy’s three tracks (L2++, consumer L3/L4, and robotaxis), the growing importance of LiDAR scale, and why Donut Labs’ solid-state battery and in-wheel motor reveal could become a true industry disruptor—if it scales.

Fast, candid, and packed with on-the-ground context, this episode explains why CES 2026 marked a turning point—and why the race is no longer just EVs vs ICE, but ecosystems vs incumbents.

___

🔑 SEO-Friendly Keywords (for description / Apple Podcasts)

China EVs & More, CES 2026 recap, Tu Le, Lei Xing, Sino Auto Insights, CES China EVs, Geely coming to the US, Geely CES announcement, Great Wall Motor CES, Rivian AI Day comparison, Ford autonomy announcement, Doug Field Ford, Hyundai Boston Dynamics robots, autonomous vehicles CES, robotaxis CES, Waymo CES, LiDAR scale China, RoboSense LiDAR, Hesai LiDAR, Donut Labs solid state battery, in-wheel motor EV, embodied AI cars, automotive AI, future of mobility, China auto industry 2026, EV autonomy roadmap