{"id":67064,"date":"2026-08-05T09:22:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T09:22:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/67064\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T09:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T09:22:22","slug":"mercedes-ceo-says-automakers-went-too-far-with-touchscreens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/67064\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercedes CEO says automakers went ‘too far’ with touchscreens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola K\u00e4llenius says the industry’s push toward high-tech vehicle interiors may have gone “too far,” echoing the concerns of many consumers.<\/p>\n

The details: K\u00e4llenius made the remarks while acknowledging that Mercedes may have contributed to the trend through its emphasis on digital interfaces, according to InsideEVs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The CEO pointed to the automaker’s replacement of physical buttons with on-screen controls as an example of technology going “too far.”<\/p>\n

Mercedes now plans to bring back more physical controls, a shift already reflected in the new CLA, which features a physical volume knob on the steering wheel instead of a touch-sensitive slider.<\/p>\n

“Sometimes you get a bit ahead of yourself and do technology for the sake of technology and maybe forget a little bit about the customer,” said K\u00e4llenius, per InsideEVs. “So from now on, you will see us reintroduce the most sensible buttons.”<\/p>\n

Why it matters: Mercedes’ change in direction reflects a broader recognition that intuitive, easy-to-use interiors remain a priority for buyers, giving dealers another selling point as customer preferences increasingly shape vehicle design.<\/p>\n

Between the lines: K\u00e4llenius’ comments align with growing consumer frustration over the industry’s shift from physical controls to touchscreens, despite continued demand for advanced technology.<\/p>\n

Despite the popularity of high-tech features, a survey of 1,428 drivers found that 89% prefer physical buttons<\/a>, which also tend to be safer to use while driving.<\/p>\n

The findings are prompting a growing number of automakers to reintroduce physical controls in place of some touch-sensitive features.<\/p>\n

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What they\u2019re saying: \u201cTraditional buttons, dials, and levers had perceptible and actionable qualities\u2014you could feel for them, adjust them without looking, and rely on muscle memory. A touchscreen obliterates this,” said Steven Kyffin, a former dean of design at Northumbria University in the UK, per Wired. “Now, you must look, think, and aim to adjust the temperature or volume. That\u2019s a huge cognitive load, and completely at odds with how we evolved to interact with driving machines while keeping our attention on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bottom line: Mercedes’ shift underscores that successful vehicle technology isn’t just about adding more digital features; it’s about balancing innovation with usability, a combination that can help dealers close more sales.<\/p>\n

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