[…]
Ralf Brandstätter [VW’s CEO in China] explained that customers in Europe tend to favor “tactile controls, long-term durability, and driving dynamics.” It’s a different story in China, where buyers prioritize “AI-first, connected vehicles, with seamless voice control and smart cockpits.”
[…]
He pointed out that the average age of an electric car buyer in Europe is 56, whereas in China it’s under 35. [He] addresses the question of why cars developed by the VW Group in China aren’t sold in Europe. It all comes down to differing regulations, costs, and customer preferences.
[…]
In similar reports he was cited saying, “Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone.”
The German automaker’s sentiments have been echoed by others, including Hyundai, whose executives have said on several occasions that it would revert to physical controls for vital vehicle functions. Now, we just have to wait to see if any of this actually happens.
I will not buy any car that doesn’t have a proper range of clicky buttons for climate and radio controls. Plain and simple.
While driving, I don’t have time to scroll though a tablet like a clueless toddler, trying to figure out which submenu of a submenu they put the ventilated seat under
Not just europeans! I was done thinking touchscreens were cool in like, 2010. Bring back knobs and dials!
Physical buttons are faster to access, it’s more accurate, and the result of having it on the screen behind a menu is increased time to find the function, which increases risk of traffic hazards.
So having basic controls on the screen should be illegal due to safety.Voice controls and tactile buttons are not mutually exclusive
Voice controls also need 99%+ accuracy if manufacturers want drivers to trust and want them. My cars voice recognition system supports reading & sending of text messages based on the names in my phones address book. I have extended family whose last name is “Gay”. I have never been able to get the car to recognize commands like “text Bob Gay”.
Voice controls are notoriously buggy.
Tactile is not the issue, navigating menus are.
