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Ferrari and Volkswagen Reverse Course on Touch Controls

New commitments signal a pivot to tactile buttons to make cars easier to use.

Overview

  • Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer said he will bring back door handles and real buttons, rejecting touch-sensitive sliders in future models.
  • Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said touch buttons spread because they cost less for suppliers, estimating they are about 50% cheaper than physical switches.
  • Ferrari plans a “phygital” layout in the Luce electric car with more physical controls for frequent tasks such as climate settings and steering wheel functions.
  • Industry reporting explains why touch panels took off, noting they cut parts, simplify wiring, and let carmakers reuse the same hardware across different models.
  • Coverage points to a broader shift as brands respond to customer and media complaints that touch-only setups are harder to use, with Hyundai moving back to buttons and Rolls‑Royce never leaving them.