THE world’s largest carmarker has scrapped a “problematic” high-tech feature from all its motors.
Volkswagen is set to reintroduce physical buttons to their cars in a move away from the usual touchscreen.
Touchscreens and haptic sliders have been the norm for several years now as manufacturers have tried to make cars feel more high-tech.
However, they have proved problematic and potentially dangerous, so Volkswagen is set to eliminate them soon.
It comes after users complained that functions like radio volume, heater controls, navigation, and more have been difficult to perform on the move via touchscreen.
The new change is set to be a very welcome addition for motorists.
It will make controlling essentials such as heating much easier for the driver and front passenger.
Design chief Andreas Mindt told Autocar the firm it is committed to reintroducing physical buttons.
He said: “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.
“They will be in every car that we make from now on. We understood this.
“We will never, ever make this mistake any more. On the steering wheel, we will have physical buttons. No guessing any more.
“There’s feedback, it’s real, and people love this. Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone: it’s a car.”
It comes after another major car brand discontinued its supermini in the UK after 10 years but has its replacement already lined up.
Mazda confirmed its Mazda 2 petrol motor can no longer be ordered brand new.
The motor landed on our roads in April 2015 and quickly earned praise for being fun to drive, and for its smart cabin and pace.
Despite two face-lifts in 2019 and 2023, which both added extra tech to the compact car, the car’s near ten-year run in UK sales has finally come to an end.
Only a “few hundred” examples are left in showrooms across the UK.
Meanwhile, Lexus has revealed it has discontinued its iconic LS saloon from the UK market after some 35 years.
Lexus‘ LS first arrived for British drivers in 1990 but had recently suffered from a sustained period of poor sales.
ndeed, just 39 of the hybrid V6-powered saloons have been purchased since 2020, of which just three were sold last year.
Following its axing, drivers in the UK looking for a Lexus saloon have just one choice left, the ES.
