The Chicago Auto Show has always been a beacon for automotive enthusiasts and industry insiders, showcasing the latest trends, innovations, and the future of mobility. The 2024 edition of the show was no exception, drawing an impressive crowd of over 260,000 attendees across its 10-day extravaganza.

Unveilings That Stole the Show
Among the highlights were the unveilings of several new vehicles that are set to redefine their respective segments. Chevrolet introduced the latest iterations of the Equinox and Traverse, offering enhanced features and improved efficiency. Ford unveiled the new Explorer and Mustang Mach-E, blending tradition with innovation. Volkswagen's new ID series also made waves, showcasing the brand's commitment to electric vehicles (EVs).

Interactive Experiences: Indoor Test Tracks
A perennial favorite, the indoor test tracks, provided hands-on experiences for attendees. Ford's "Built Wild" test track, designed specifically for the Ford Bronco, was a testament to the vehicle's rugged capabilities. Meanwhile, ComEd sponsored the "Chicago Drives Electric" test track, underscoring the industry's shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).

Record-Breaking Engagement
The Ford "Built Wild" test track saw unprecedented engagement, with wait times reaching nearly three hours on the busiest days (WOW.) This level of participation highlights the growing consumer interest in immersive brand experiences, a trend that SponsorUnited has identified as a key driver in the sponsorship and media landscape.

Premier Partnerships
The event's success was bolstered by its premier partners, including Cars.com, ComEd, and Powering Chicago. These partnerships exemplify the collaborative spirit of the auto show and the broader industry's push towards innovation and sustainability.

EVs Take Center Stage
The EV test track featured an array of electric vehicles from leading brands like BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Tesla, and Volkswagen. This segment of the show was particularly enlightening, offering a tangible look at the future of transportation. Volta Charging's presence, with physical car chargers placed throughout the show floor, further highlighted the EV theme, aligning with SponsorUnited's insights into the growing importance of infrastructure in the adoption of electric vehicles.

The Road Ahead
The Chicago Auto Show 2024 provided a compelling glimpse into the future of the automotive industry, emphasizing the shift towards electric vehicles and interactive consumer experiences. As the leading global sports and entertainment sponsorship intelligence platform, we remain committed to unlocking exclusive insights that fuel smarter partnerships in this evolving landscape.

Day 2 of CES 2022 saw cars that fly, yes, flying cars, produced by Kyocera SLD Laser while also showcasing their new world record for “LiFi Communications."

Continuing our drive through CES, Stellantis, who has a recent partnership with Amazon, showcased their new cars which include the Amazon Web Services software as the cloud provider for the vehicles. These cars are expected to launch in 2024. Stellantis also has partnerships with BMW, Foxconn & Waymo with the end goal of reaching 34 million connected cars on the road by 2030.

Volvo will be releasing a new self driving car named the "Ride Pilot". Although no date of release has been announced yet, the car will be debuted in California. Volvo, an international auto brand, has over 30 sponsorships across the globe including Serie A team, Inter Milan, and the NHL Boston Bruins.

Fisker Inc. headquartered in California showcased their Fisker Ocean electric SUV that includes the first ever Digital-Imaging Radar system within a car. Production is set to begin in November 2022. Fisker Inc. currently has out of home signage in California within the San Francisco and Los Angeles Markets.

SponsorUnited, the leading partnership data platform for sports & entertainment, released its Automotive Sponsorships 2020-21 Annual Report.

Key Highlights of The Report Include:

• Automotive industry sponsorship spending in Major Pro Sports hits $225.7M, down from $258.7M in 2019-2020.

• For the 4^th straight year, Toyota has the most sponsorship deals by an automotive brand globally.

• Interest in partnering with automotive dealerships is at an all-time high, becoming the 7^th most searched category by sponsorship sales executives in 2021 (up from 54^th in 2020).

• Three of the top six most successful influencers to promote an automotive brand via social media were female, led by Alicia Keys.

• Non-traditional is the new normal. A Pet Influencer had more sponsored posts with an automotive brand than Rafael Nadal, LeBron James and Novak Djokovic combined.