jfid – Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, has taken a significant step to enhance consumer comfort and satisfaction.
The German brand has announced that they will reintroduce physical buttons on the steering wheels of their cars, after previously replacing them with sensitive touch controls.
This decision comes after Volkswagen received substantial criticism from owners and fans of their cars, who found the touch controls often unresponsive, difficult to use, and prone to accidental touches.
Many regarded touch controls as an unnecessary gimmick and preferred the proven functionality and practicality of physical buttons.
Thomas Schaefer, the head of Volkswagen’s core brand, explained the reasoning behind this change on his LinkedIn account.
He stated that Volkswagen aims to create a new simplicity in operating their vehicles and acknowledged that physical buttons are what consumers want from VW.
“We are refining our portfolio and design, creating a new simplicity in operating our vehicles,” said Schaefer. “For example, we are bringing back steering wheels with push buttons! That’s what customers want from VW,” he added.
One of the models to receive physical buttons again is the VW Golf, Volkswagen’s flagship car that has been around since 1974.
The scheduled 2023 VW Golf facelift could be the first to ditch the touch panel and reintroduce push buttons on the steering wheel. This was evident from a prototype VW Golf captured by automotive media in September.
In addition to physical buttons on the steering wheel, the VW Golf facelift will also feature a large touchscreen for the infotainment system, claimed to have higher computing power and faster operation.
Volkswagen has also addressed some software issues that previously affected their cars through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
However, not all touch controls will be eliminated from Volkswagen cars. A fixation on touch controls is still evident on the center console, where the VW Golf has a slider to adjust the temperature.
This slider has also faced criticism for lacking illumination and being less intuitive. Nevertheless, VW has added a Clima button for quick access to settings through the touchscreen.
The changes made by Volkswagen demonstrate their concern for the opinions and needs of their consumers.
By returning to physical buttons, Volkswagen hopes to increase customer loyalty and trust, offering a more enjoyable and secure driving experience.
