Mazda, which was previously the most vocal opponent of touchscreens, now claims that they are safer than buttons, according to TDS.

Mazda, which was previously the most vocal opponent of touchscreens, now claims that they are safer than buttons, according to TDS.

       

      

      

      

      

       The latest automotive news and reviews, without any fluff

      Good morning. Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, a morning news summary from The Drive that collects all the significant automotive stories from around the world and consolidates them in one place.

      Here’s a summary of what’s currently trending, along with links for full articles for those looking for more details as we enter 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 that touchscreens were risky and distracting while buttons were safer, has changed its stance; the program manager for the CX-5, Koichiro Yamaguchi, stated, “Air conditioning controls can be managed with a finger, and if we must include a physical button, it should be positioned lower. This requires drivers to look down, and there are 15 similarly styled switches. This means drivers will have to take their eyes off the road to find and select the correct button. Therefore, it’s preferable to have this control on the screen to minimize distractions.”

      🐏 Ram aims for a 60% increase in sales by 2030 as part of Stellantis’ revitalization plans; achieving this would position the truck manufacturer above Jeep as the leading volume brand in North America and elevate its importance to the company.

      🇺🇸 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly considering manufacturing vehicles at Stellantis’ U.S. factories, including a U.S.-focused Defender, to circumvent import tariffs.

      🇺🇸 Ford’s newly unveiled Super Duty introduces a Proud to Honor Package that serves as a mobile tribute to America, resembling a stick-on graphics kit.

      🐴 Ferrari, unsurprisingly, is said to be encouraging its customers to purchase the Luce EV if they wish to advance in the waitlists for its more exclusive gas-powered models.

      🔋 The Jeep Recon has an EPA rating revealing a range of 222 miles per charge; predictably, it seems the Recon will neither be efficient nor offer impressive range, despite its substantial 100-kWh battery pack.

      🔌 Telo’s compact electric truck is expected to charge surprisingly quickly, thanks to technology that splits the 400-volt battery pack in a parallel setup, allowing for a peak charge rate of 400 kW on an 800-volt charger.

      🏎️ The first GMA T.50s Niki Lauda supercar has been unveiled, and it’s an eye-catching beauty.

      🚕 Waymo has recalled nearly 4,000 self-driving robotaxis to prevent them from entering highway construction zones.

      🚖 Uber intends to launch its premium robotaxi service in Houston, Texas, in 2027.

      Have a tip? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com

Mazda, which was previously the most vocal opponent of touchscreens, now claims that they are safer than buttons, according to TDS.

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Mazda, which was previously the most vocal opponent of touchscreens, now claims that they are safer than buttons, according to TDS.

Mazda program manager Koichiro Yamaguchi stated that a cluster of 15 switches that appear similar makes it necessary for drivers to divert their gaze downward for a longer duration compared to a touchscreen.