{
  "id": 4370378,
  "title": "BMW Blames Young People For Loss of Real Buttons In New Cars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/bmw-blames-young-people-for-loss-of-real-buttons-in-new-cars",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T07:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/08/30/067214/bmw-blames-young-people-for-loss-of-real-buttons-in-new-cars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BMW is set to launch its most screen-reliant vehicles yet, according to Car and Driver news. The 2024 BMW iX3 features climate controls linked to its central screen, as does virtually every other function, with only a few buttons remaining on the center console. However, BMW's shift away from physical switches to touch-based controls is not driven by financial motives, but rather by the preferences of younger customers, suggests Vikram Pawah, CEO of BMW Group Australia. In an interview with CarExpert, Pawah stated that younger buyers favor modern controls due to their impatience and desire for quick, multitasking functionality. He explained, \"Younger customers are less patient with their technology. They want things done quickly, and they're multitasking. And we have to keep that in mind.\" This approach echoes other companies like Tesla, Rivian, Mazda, and Mercedes-Benz, who have increasingly moved functionalities to touchscreen interfaces. The iX3 also introduces a new safety feature - a side-radar system that detects approaching cyclists or vehicles and temporarily disables electronic door locks until the threat has passed.",
  "summary": "BMW is about to release their most screen-dependent vehicles ever, reports Car and Driver: Step into the BMW iX3, and you'll notice something is missing: real buttons. The climate controls are fettered to the center screen, as is nearly every other feature, save for a handful located in the center console — at least the window switches are still on the doors... But don't blame a desire for larger…",
  "key_points": [
    "BMW is phasing out physical buttons for touchscreen controls in new cars.",
    "Younger customers prefer quick, multitasking functions over traditional switches.",
    "Side-radar safety feature disables locks during cyclist or vehicle threats."
  ],
  "editors_take": "BMW's shift to screen-reliant controls in its new vehicles reflects a strategic catering to younger buyers' preferences for quick, multitasking functionality, aligning with a trend also seen in Tesla, Rivian, Mazda, and Mercedes-Benz.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}