--- title: "Ford Designer Teases GM For Using the Same Touchscreen Knob in 2024 GMC Sierra EV" date: "2022-10-25" modified: "2022-10-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-designer-jokingly-jabs-gm-for-using-the-same-touchscreen-sync-knob" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Ford News" - "GMC News" - "Infotainment" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Ford Designer Teases GM For Using the Same Touchscreen Knob in 2024 GMC Sierra EV ![]() If you saw the reveal of the [GMC Sierra EV ]()electric pickup truck, you may have noticed something familiar about its interior touchscreen. Mounted onto the screen itself is a small knob that likely controls the volume and it looks shockingly similar to the touchscreen knob found in the [Mustang Mach E](). When Ford designer Ryan McManus saw that, he took to Twitter to send a friendly jab at his crosstown rival. The Mustang Mach E's "Sync knob" is one of its better interior features, as users can control certain functions of the infotainment system with the physical control. The rest of the system is run on its massive touchscreen but the Sync knob adds a physical interaction point, which makes life easier while driving. After seeing the love from customers, it makes sense that GM might want to use similar technology. So it did. GMC's new Sierra EV pickup features a similar, but not quite identical, knob for its own infotainment system. So you'd be forgiven for taking McManus' joke seriously and thinking that GM copied Ford. However, it has less to do with GM and Ford and more to do with their supplier—Preh. https://twitter.com/ryantomorrow/status/1583413231934050304?s=20&t=MTm7I9-Fpflx58S-2Vd1og Preh is a [German automotive parts supplier ]()that invented the touchscreen-based physical knob used in both the Ford Mustang Mach E and the GMC Sierra EV. The basic knob design literally adheres to the touchscreen and is then programmed to control certain functions of the infotainment system. Volume is the obvious one but the knob also tilts in different directions, which can control other functions as well. Despite both brands using Preh's touchscreen knob tech, each brand's iteration looks different. Both Ford and GM modified the design and touchpoints to give it their own flavor but the basic part is the same for both. Ford's knob is larger (don't laugh) and features more knurling on the edge, while GM's is a bit smaller with a smoother edge. Though, both brands' knobs ultimately do the same thing. At the end of the day, it's more of a "Who wore it better" situation, with neither brand having any real beef over this. Car companies share parts suppliers all the time, so this is nothing new. Especially with an innovative new part from Preh, who supplies parts to far more than just Ford and GM. Still, it's a fun little jab from one designer to a rival brand. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()