Volkswagen promises more buttons and better materials, but it may be going back to the past instead of looking to the future. Is this really the path to success or just an excuse for a lack of innovation?
Volkswagen has always symbolized German precision and innovation. But the latest moves from Wolfsburg raise questions: are the German giants really learning from past mistakes, or just pandering to loud but not necessarily progressive voices in the industry? Some old-fashioned automotive journalists are particularly critical.
More buttons, less innovation
Volkswagen announces the return of physical buttons, which should improve the user experience. This is surprising, as buttons have historically been a symbol of outdated technology. The new approach is supposed to satisfy journalists who are said to have problems using screens due to "too big fingers". Instead of investing in better screens with advanced interfaces, Volkswagen is returning to solutions from the past. Ironic, since it was Volkswagen that started the digital cockpit revolution with models like the Golf Mk8.
If returning the buttons incurs higher costs, who will pay for it? Of course, the buyer. Indeed, removing physical buttons could reduce production costs and improve the aesthetics of the interior. The future is in simplification, not a return to complex physical controls.
New format: a return to the roots?
Volkswagen is announcing a design shift that is said to be based on tradition. The redesigned ID.3 and ID.4 are said to have a "completely new design language" that reflects the past more than the future. Electric vehicle buyers today are looking for futuristic lines, just as they want bigger screens and better technology for phones – not reinterpretations of the Nokia 3310.
Competition from Asia, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Kia EV6, as well as Tesla, prove that the future of design lies in a bold and technologically advanced approach. In contrast, Volkswagen seems to be at risk of losing its appeal to younger generations.
Better materials: how "better"?
For years, Volkswagen has promised to improve the quality of materials. Criticism of the "plastic" look of the Golf Mk8 was loud. So why weren't there quality materials from the start? Quality is more than just a visual impression – it also includes durability and functionality. Customers want sustainable materials, not just temporary solutions.
Drop the prices
The most obvious solution? Price reduction. Volkswagen's electric vehicles are getting more expensive, while competitors like Tesla are cutting costs while maintaining a technological edge. Reducing the price of 20 %s would increase availability and sales, but the additional physical buttons only increase production costs.
Really! There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design of the ID.7. But it is wrong that it does not have 800V architecture, and of course lower prices. The price is too high, at least for the 20%. This is also the amount Volkswagen has to give up for success and mass sales. If it can do it in China, it can do it in the EU.
Too late and in the wrong direction
Volkswagen is at a turning point. A return to physical controls and an emphasis on traditional design is not necessarily a recipe for success. Better screens, more durable materials and competitive prices are a better answer to the needs of the market. Instead of returning to the past, Volkswagen should focus on the future and on the real desires of customers: innovation without compromise, at an affordable price. Volkswagen can do this, but a new, bold approach to management is needed.
News summarized by motor1.com
