Mazda, which was previously a strong opponent of touchscreens, now claims they are safer than physical buttons: TDS
The latest automotive news and reviews, no fluff
Good morning. Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, a morning news roundup from The Drive that consolidates the most significant auto stories from across the globe into one location.
Here's a summary of what’s trending, along with links to full articles for those seeking additional details as we move into Thursday, June 18, 2026.
🔊 The latest episode of The Drivecast, The Drive’s new weekly podcast, is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
📱 Mazda, the manufacturer that previously insisted touchscreens were hazardous and distracting while buttons were safer, has changed its perspective. The program manager for the CX-5, Koichiro Yamaguchi, stated, “You can operate the air conditioning with a finger, and if we must include a physical button, it will be at a lower position. This forces the driver to glance down where there are 15 similar-looking switches. This means the driver needs to divert their eyes from the road to select the correct button. Therefore, it's better to have this control on the screen—to minimize the distraction.”
🐏 Ram has set a goal for a 60% increase in sales by 2030 as part of Stellantis’ restructuring efforts; achieving this would position the truck manufacturer ahead of Jeep as the top volume brand in North America and make it the most crucial brand in the company.
🇺🇸 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly considering producing vehicles at Stellantis facilities in the U.S., including a Defender aimed at the U.S. market, to bypass import tariffs.
🇺🇸 Ford’s newly unveiled Super Duty features a “Proud to Honor Package” that serves as a tribute to America, akin to a graphics package.
🐴 Unsurprisingly, Ferrari is allegedly encouraging its clients to purchase the Luce EV if they want to advance in line for its more exclusive gas-powered models.
🔋 The Jeep Recon has an EPA rating revealing a range of 222 miles per charge; unsurprisingly, it seems the Recon won’t be particularly efficient or offer an impressive range despite its sizeable 100-kWh battery pack.
🔌 Telo's compact electric truck promises rapid charging capabilities due to technology that splits the 400-volt battery pack in a parallel configuration, allowing for a peak charge rate of 400 kW on an 800-volt charger.
🏎️ The debut of the GMA T.50s Niki Lauda supercar has taken place, and it’s an impressive sight.
🚕 Waymo has recalled nearly 4,000 self-driving robotaxis to prevent them from entering highway construction areas.
🚖 Uber is planning to introduce its premium robotaxi service in Houston, Texas, in 2027.
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Mazda, which was previously a strong opponent of touchscreens, now claims they are safer than physical buttons: TDS
Mazda program manager Koichiro Yamaguchi stated that a cluster of 15 similar switches requires drivers to divert their gaze downward for a longer duration compared to a touchscreen.