Volkswagen China CEO: European Buyers Want Physical Controls

Americans and Europeans don’t agree on everything, but a recent statement from Volkswagen China’s CEO shows we’re alike in at least a few areas when it comes to vehicle design. The executive said that European buyers want “tactile controls, long-term durability, and driving dynamics” instead of a ton of touchscreen buttons, which is something American enthusiasts have been shouting about for years.

At the same time, VW China CEO Ralf Brandstatter said buyers in that country prefer a different experience. Buyers prioritize “AI-first, connected vehicles, with seamless voice control and smart cockpits.” The automaker’s recent vehicles have taken heavy criticism for their tech interfaces, which rely heavily on touch-based controls instead of physical buttons, though some of the newest models have reintroduced more old-school controls.

Volkswagen plans further changes, with Brandstatter saying, “From the ID.2all onwards, we will have physical buttons for the five most important functions – the volume, the heating on each side of the car, the fans, and the hazard light – below the screen. That will be in every car that we make from now on. We will never, ever make this mistake again.” He finished by 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.

[Images: Volkswagen]

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