Guidehouse Insights predicts sales of electric delivery vans could reach 190,000 per year across the world by the end of the decade. Startups such as Arrival and Electric Last Mile Solutions racing to build e-vans, joined by GM and Ford, with Guidehouse's Sam Abuelsamid noting, "Commercial vehicles aren't sexy, but it's a hell of a good business."

Over-the-air updates for vehicles could provide monthly revenue for automakers, writes Guidehouse Insights analyst Sam Abuelsamid. "If the auto industry is going to shift to a recurring revenue business model, it is going to have to start providing customers with a much better value proposition if they expect them to keep paying in perpetuity," he writes.

Delivery bots could help minimize the spread of the coronavirus, says Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst for Navigant Research. "Automated driving or flying technology has the potential to help the population avoid the risk of having to venture out into crowds until the emergency subsides," he adds.