this post was submitted on 30 May 2025
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Electric Vehicles

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Volkswagen China CEO: European Buyers Want Physical Controls (www.motor1.com)
submitted 1 month ago by Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.org to c/electricvehicles@slrpnk.net
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[...]

Ralf Brandstätter [VW's CEO in China] explained that customers in Europe tend to favor "tactile controls, long-term durability, and driving dynamics." It’s a different story in China, where buyers prioritize “AI-first, connected vehicles, with seamless voice control and smart cockpits.”

[...]

He pointed out that the average age of an electric car buyer in Europe is 56, whereas in China it’s under 35. [He] addresses the question of why cars developed by the VW Group in China aren’t sold in Europe. It all comes down to differing regulations, costs, and customer preferences.

[...]

In similar reports he was cited saying, “Honestly, it’s a car. It’s not a phone.”

The German automaker’s sentiments have been echoed by others, including Hyundai, whose executives have said on several occasions that it would revert to physical controls for vital vehicle functions. Now, we just have to wait to see if any of this actually happens.

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[–] IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 4 points 1 month ago

Voice controls also need 99%+ accuracy if manufacturers want drivers to trust and want them. My cars voice recognition system supports reading & sending of text messages based on the names in my phones address book. I have extended family whose last name is “Gay”. I have never been able to get the car to recognize commands like “text Bob Gay”.