From the Chicago Tribune, February 6:
The atmosphere is electric at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, with two indoor EV test tracks, dozens of models and several high-profile debuts, including the first appearance by homegrown Rivian.
But with EV sales growth slowing and threats by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs, pause infrastructure build-out and end federal tax credits, an air of uncertainty hangs over the 117th edition of North America’s largest auto show, which opens Saturday at McCormick Place.
“I think 2025 is more uncertain than it was a couple of weeks ago, and it was already pretty uncertain in terms of where the EV market is going,” said David Greene, an analyst with Cars.com.
Automakers are all in on EVs this year, with display after display featuring sleek electric vehicles, charging stations and sales placards touting range. Beyond the EV-curious, there are plenty of other attractions to lure attendees to this year’s show, from a sleek 1,001-horsepower hybrid Lamborghini supercar to the return of the popular Camp Jeep test track after a one-year hiatus.
There’s even a chance to take another wheel for a spin by auditioning for ABC’s “Wheel of Fortune” on Saturday and Sunday.
But if electric vehicles are indeed the future of the auto industry, then the future is now at the Chicago Auto Show, which added a second EV test track to accommodate a slew of rides from a dozen automakers, including the new Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Daytona Charger — the first all-electric vehicles offered by the Stellantis-owned brands.
Stellantis skipped last year’s show, pulling its Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat and Ram vehicles off the floor and ending the two-decade run of Camp Jeep.
Newcomer Rivian, which launched production in a former Mitsubishi factory in downstate Normal in September 2021, is making its first Chicago Auto Show appearance to introduce its second-generation EVs — the downsized R2 and R3X SUVs, which are slated to begin rolling off the production line beginning in 2026.
Rivian will also offer rides in its R1S SUV, R1T truck and its commercial van at the EV test tracks, which are sponsored by ComEd.
The R2 and R3X will be on display, but remain parked next to the track, giving attendees a first look at what’s coming down the road. Rivian is seeking to lure new buyers at price points well below its first-generation SUV and truck, which cost upward of $80,000, making them ineligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. The R2 will be priced starting at $45,000....
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