Automakers have replaced simple buttons with complex touchscreens that require visual attention to operate. They've created distraction machines and called them infotainment systems. This is dangerous madness.
The Attention Problem
Adjusting climate control used to mean reaching for a familiar knob without looking. Now it means: activating screen, navigating menus, selecting option, confirming selection. Each step requires looking away from the road.
At 80 km/h, glancing at a screen for 2 seconds means traveling 44 meters blind. Menu navigation might take 5-6 seconds, 130 meters. That's how crashes happen.
Why This Happened
Touchscreens are cheaper than physical controls. One screen replaces dozens of buttons. Manufacturing costs drop; accident rates rise. Manufacturers externalized their savings onto consumer risk.
The Tesla Effect
Tesla's minimalist interior was praised for aesthetics. Other manufacturers copied it, hiding basic functions in software. Now even windshield wipers require screen interaction in some vehicles.
What Should Exist
Physical controls for frequently used functions: climate, volume, phone, navigation input. Touchscreens for settings changed while parked. Voice control as backup, not primary interface.
Some manufacturers are returning to buttons after customer feedback. Support them. Reject the screen-everything approach before it kills more people.
Industry Response
Some manufacturers recognize that customer dissatisfaction ultimately hurts their brands. Progressive companies are implementing stricter dealer oversight, transparent pricing, and customer feedback mechanisms. However, change is slow, and buyers should remain vigilant rather than assuming all players have reformed.
The Bigger Picture
These concerns aren't isolated incidents but symptoms of systemic issues in India's automotive retail landscape. The power imbalance between dealers and consumers, combined with information asymmetry, creates conditions ripe for exploitation. Understanding this context helps buyers protect themselves and push for better practices.
Practical Implications
Beyond the obvious frustrations, these issues have tangible financial consequences. Buyers who fall victim to these practices may find themselves underwater on their purchases within months. The hidden costs accumulate, from overpriced accessories to unnecessary add-ons, eroding the value proposition that initially attracted them to a particular vehicle.
What Buyers Can Do
Empowered consumers are the best defense against questionable practices. Thorough research before entering a showroom, willingness to walk away from unfavorable deals, and sharing experiences with fellow buyers create accountability. Online forums and owner communities have become invaluable resources for cutting through marketing noise.
At Nxcar, we're passionate about automobiles , and equally passionate about looking out for car buyers across India.
