Ferrari CEO Admits Touch Controls Were Just to Cut Costs, Reverts to Physical Buttons on Multiple Models

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna recently admitted to the media that touch-sensitive controls cost about 50% less to manufacture than physical buttons but deliver an inferior user experience. In response, Ferrari has begun offering a retrofit service for its current Purosangue and 12Cilindri models, replacing steering wheel touch controls with traditional physical buttons. New models like the Testarossa and Amalfi also feature a noticeably higher number of physical buttons. Ferrari’s upcoming first electric vehicle, the Luce, was developed with input from Jony Ive’s design team—formerly Apple’s chief design officer—and emphasizes blending physical switches with digital interfaces, including dedicated, practical buttons such as independent climate controls. Vigna stated plainly that EVs should not blindly pursue oversized minimalist screens; driving controls must remain intuitive and easy to use. Major automakers like Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Toyota are also returning to physical buttons, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz continue to favor screen-dominated designs.