Volkswagen to Bring Back Physical Buttons to All Vehicles
Volkswagen is bringing back physical buttons to all its vehicles after pivoting to touch screens in recent years. In an interview with Autocar, Andreas Mindt, design chief at the German auto giant, called the decision to remove these buttons "a mistake."
'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,' he explained, adding: 'It's not a phone: it's a car.'
This doesn't mean touch screens are set to disappear on new Volkswagens, just that drivers will now have the option of physical controls for their most used day-to-day tasks. The new controls are set to make their debut in the ID.2all, a small, budget EV set to debut in Europe.
Last year, Hyundai promised to keep physical controls for its important functions, like volume adjustments and air conditioning, with its head of design highlighting the safety benefits of having an easy-to-use physical button.
In 2022, a study by Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare found that drivers were better able to perform simple tasks like tuning the radio to a specific channel or raising the car temperature using old-school buttons.
Tesla is also pivoting back to real-world controls, at least partially. It reintroduced its turn signal stalk on the steering column in the recently refreshed Model Y, InsideEVs notes.
European regulators are also cheering on the transition back to physical buttons. As of Jan. 1, 2026, new cars sold in the EU will need physical buttons or switches for their horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights, and SOS features if they want to get the highest safety rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Another luxury car maker is taken down by US tariffs
Car buyers have benefited from car manufacturers relying on incentives to get customers through the door. Consumer sentiment has fallen, but a sale is a sale, and people are taking advantage. "People are buying cars because they think tariffs are coming," one Mazda dealer said. Related: Investment bank says tariffs are devastating these businesses U.S. companies like Ford are in an especially advantageous position because they (usually) import fewer vehicles than their foreign competitors. Nearly half of American drivers cite car expenses as the reason they can't save any money, and the average American spends about 20% of their monthly income on auto loans, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Most financial experts cap the monthly income you should spend on a vehicle at 15%. But according to a MarketWatch Guides survey, about 10% of drivers say they spend 30% of their monthly income on driving, while another 12% said they "found themselves living paycheck to paycheck due to the financial strain of their cars." Image source:On Monday, Mercedes-Benz said that in the second quarter, unit sales of cars and vans fell 9%, primarily due to tariffs. The luxury German brand delivered 547,100 cars and fans between April and June. Mercedes' Cars unit reported a 9% decline to 453,700 vehicles sold as support in the U.S and China both dried up. North America deliveries fell 14%, while China deliveries declined 19%. "Deliveries to dealerships were carefully calibrated to navigate new global tariff policies, impacting sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars in the U.S. and China in particular," Mercedes said. Related: Toyota makes a tariff move customers are going to hate European sales were up 1%, while sales in Germany rose 7%. Perhaps most concerning was the 18% drop in battery electric sales to 41,900 vehicles. According to a Bernstein note last week viewed by Reuters, Mercedes expects tariffs to play a big part in its performance this quarter. More automotive news: Detroit Big 3 benefit from auto tariffs now, but time is running outPopular Ford newcomer overtakes Jeep in a key areaToyota makes surprising move to beat Tesla in key market Mercedes expects tariffs to shave less than 3% from its second-quarter profit margin. The company seemed relieved about a number that would have been worse without "some de-escalation of tensions between the U.S. and China, some tariff offsets, and timing because tariffs were only ramping up in April." U.S. tariffs forced Mercedes-Benz, and many other automakers both foreign and domestic, to pull their guidance for the year due to lack of visibility. This is a smart move, given President Trump's mercurial decision-making on tariffs. The current pause on non-automotive tariffs is set to end on Wednesday, July 9, but the 25% auto tariffs that have been in place since March never went away. Mercedes operates two manufacturing plants in the U.S., one in Tuscaloosa and the other in Vance, Alabama. The plants produce four of its most popular models, the GLS and GLE SUVs, the GLE Coupe, and the new C-Class. The Tuscaloosa plant was Mercedes' first plant outside of Germany when it was completed in 1995. Today, the 1,000-acre site has over 5 million square feet of manufacturing space, and its facilities employ more than 11,000 Alabamians. Mercedes sold 324,500 passenger cars and 49,600 vans in the U.S. last year, representing 16.4% and 12.2% of sales, respectively. Related: Car buyers should shop these brands for the best tariff deal The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Brabus Rocket GTS Deep Blue Is A Carbon Fiber Clownshoe With A Thousand Horsepower
Late last year, Brabus revealed the Rocket GTS, a Mercedes-AMG SL 63 turned into a shooting brake that is more than a little reminiscent of BMW's so-called 'Clownshoe,' the Z3 M Coupe. Clad in carbon fiber and delivering close to a thousand horsepower, there wasn't much room for improvement, but the German tuner has found a way to get closer to perfection with a blue-tinted take on the terrific two-door called the Rocket GTS Deep Blue. This package reportedly adds $68,000 to the cost of the already-expensive $1.1 million Rocket GTS. Brabus modifies various Mercedes-AMG models, but the monoblock wheels on its Rocket GTS are exclusive to the model. The P Platinum Edition rims measure 21 inches in the front, with 22s filling the rear arches, and they're designed to funnel air inward to cool the brakes. They also do a fine job of disguising the extra width, where the rear axle is now more than 78 inches wide, while an integrated ducktail-style spoiler aims to improve downforce. The entire body, claims Brabus, has been optimized in the wind tunnel using computer-aided design and computational flow dynamics software, so the body isn't just for show. Brabus says that all the carbon has also shaved some weight from the car, though it doesn't say how much. With such exquisite fitted luggage and the addition of a roof, the difference likely isn't much, but anything is an improvement when you start with a 5,115-pound curb weight. Brabus could easily have boosted the original 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid system's output beyond its standard 805 horsepower and called it a day, but on a project this special, the tuner chose to completely overhaul the powertrain by boring it out to 4,407 cc. Along with other modifications, the engine produces 784 hp and 921 lb-ft of torque on its own. Alongside the SL 63 S E Performance's rear-mounted electric motor, overall output is now 1,000 metric horses (985 bhp) and 1,342 lb-ft of torque. Because the 9-speed automatic transmission might not sustain that much twist for extended periods, Brabas has restricted torque to 1,195 lb-ft. We're sure that's enough - 0-62 mph takes just 2.6 seconds, and reaching 124 mph from rest is quoted at 9.5 seconds. 0-186 mph? 23.6 seconds, and if you keep your foot planted, the Rocket GTS will keep going until 197 mph. Brabus has built several blue carbon fiber cars in the past and even some green ones, so if your pockets are deep enough, we're sure just about any tint can be applied. Practicality, performance, and preening all in one package? Perfect. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Time Business News
10 hours ago
- Time Business News
Breakthroughs in PEM Electrolyzer Technology
A proton-collecting membrane is used as an electrolyte in a PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyzer, a device that electrolysis electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. PEM electrolyzer is expanding rapidly in the market as global push is for decisration and durable energy. These systems are important to produce green hydrogen using renewable sources such as solar and air, hydrogen conditions as an important option for fossil fuels. Government incentives, investment and subsidy adoption are accelerating, while ongoing technological progress has improved the efficiency, durability and cost-effectiveness of PEM electrolyzers. Additionally, the decreasing cost of renewable electricity and increasing hydrogen in industries, power generation and transportation is the increase in more driving market. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Global Focus on Decarbonization: Since nation and business work to cut greenhouse gas emissions and switch to cleaner energy sources, the global emphasis on decarbonization is an important driver of PEM electrolyzer market expansion. Heavy industry, transportation, and power generation, are considered possible by green hydrogen, which is made using PEM electrolyzers that are fuel by renewable energy. Especially in areas including the European Union, US and Asia-Pacific, as a result the government supports more government subsidies, regulatory requirements and strategic hydrogen roadmaps. PEM electrolyzers are at the forefront of clean energy revolution as a result of increasing demand for effective and scalable hydrogen production method. Challenges Despite its growth capacity, the PEM electrolyzer has to face several boundaries in the market, including high early capital costs and expensive materials such as platinum and iridium, used as catalysts. The production process also requires extremely pure water, which combines operational complexity. Additionally, massive hydrogen storage and infrastructure remain underdeveloped, which hinders widespread adoption. Innovation and Expansion High-Capacity 300Nm³/H PEM Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Introduced by Sungrow In May 2025, with the world debut of its 300Nm³/h PEM water electrolyzer and the grand release of the flexible hydrogen production solution, Sungrow Hydrogen has garnered a lot of attention and praise during the Smart Energy Week 2024 H₂ & FC EXPO held in Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center on February 28. In addition to breaking the hourly hydrogen output record per PEM stack in the Chinese domestic market, Sungrow Hydrogen's recently introduced 300Nm³/h PEM water electrolyzer also catches up to the globally advanced level in a number of important indices. Prior to Launch, Bosch Secures 100MW in Pre-orders for Hydrogen Electrolysers In March 2025, Bosch is expected to have a significant impact on the hydrogen market. The German tech company has already received 100MW in pre-orders for its Hybrion PEM electrolysis stacks only weeks before they go on sale, indicating a strong desire for effective, large-scale hydrogen generation technology. As the worldwide shift to green hydrogen accelerates, especially in industries that are difficult to electrify, such as steel and chemicals, Bosch is using its expertise in fuel cells and manufacturing skills to create PEM electrolysers with the goal of lowering production costs and increasing productivity. Modern PEM Electrolyzer Gigafactory Unveiled by Ohmium In July 2024, In Doddaballapura, just outside of Bengaluru, India, Ohmium International, a prominent green hydrogen firm that develops, produces, and uses cutting-edge Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, has formally opened its new gigafactory. Ohmium's second production plant in India, the new gigafactory is the first to consolidate important manufacturing, assembly, testing, quality control, warehousing, and shipping functions under one roof. In order to satisfy the needs of Ohmium's worldwide project pipeline, the state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which has about 14,000 square meters of production area, is ramping up to ship 2 gigawatts (GW) of fully constructed and tested electrolyzer systems. Inventive Sparks, Expanding Markets Prominent players working in the PEM Electrolyzer include Siemens Energy, Nail, Ningbo Weet Energy Technology Co., Limited, Plug Power Inc. and others. Research and development investment for the PEM Electrolyzer Industry to improve scalability, low prices and efficiency is an important strategy. Expanding manufacturing capacity to meet increasing demand, companies will focus on the production of more economical and abundant catalysts and other material technology progresses. About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
