Volkswagen is eliminating touch controls on the steering wheel

The top manager led the development of world markets, while he managed to notice the complaints of users of specific cars. The criticisms have led to fundamental changes to the steering wheels of the new Volkswagen.

Thomas Schäfer, born in Germany, started working in the automotive industry 31 years ago. He spent a significant part of his career at Daimler, in 2012 he moved to rival Volkswagen AG, where he managed several corporate groups around the world. at the head of Škoda and subsequently Volkswagen.

An ambitious manager can argue with the successful architecture of sales, production and supply structures in new and established markets, the visiting card of diligence is the planning or logistics of the development of international production of passenger and commercial vehicles. Schäfer continues the sleepy run of the businessman and from 1 July 2022 took the helm of Volkswagen.

The new chairman of the board of directors of Wolfsburg maintains high development rates of the car company entrusted, in his latest prospects for the future he also hinted at a very practical thought, which could be distorted from the point of view of the top management director. In a written summary of VW’s further development, Schäfer announced the return to push-button control on the steering wheel.

The welcome cancellation of the touch surfaces indicates the perception of criticism by ordinary users, the unwanted control of the radio probably annoyed even influential officials at the head of the German auto industry. Schäfer commented on the conservative measure saying: “We are improving our portfolio and design and creating a new ease of use for our vehicles. For example, we are bringing back the push-button steering wheel! This is what customers want from VW.”

An impractical solution near the fingers and palms of the hands began to complicate the life of the driver three years ago. Backlit flat segments are integrating more and more user functions, but most people lack the tactile feedback to perform a specific operation without focusing on the center of the steering wheel. The good old buttons or rotary controls are the best choice now confirmed by the highest levels of Volkswagen.

The Germans follow Honda, which abandons capacitive steering wheel control in the same style. Not a single manufacturer has spoken of the return of proven dashboard controls, even the space in front of the gear lever is littered with unsightly touch surfaces covered with fingerprints as part of modern trends.