--- title: "Real Buttons and Door Handles β€˜Non-Negotiable,’ VW CEO Says: TDS" date: "2026-03-26" modified: "2026-03-26" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/real-buttons-and-door-handles-non-negotiable-vw-ceo-says-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Real Buttons and Door Handles β€˜Non-Negotiable,’ VW CEO Says: TDS ![VW Tiguan steering wheel]() *\Volkswagen\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* gathers all the automotive headlines you need to know as you start your day. News is summarized in a sentence or two, and you can follow links for a closer look. The week's nearly over, we're almost there! Let's dive in. πŸ”˜ Volkswagen CEO Thomas SchΓ€fer has reconfirmed a commitment to get buttons back in the German automakers' models, telling *[Top Gear]()* at a recent brand event, "There's two things that are absolutely non-negotiable for me: door handles and buttons. I don't understand why anybody would have \[touch-sensitive\] sliders." πŸ“ˆ Hyundai plans to launch 36 models in North America by 2030, the company announced at its annual shareholder meeting, per *[Reuters]()*, calling the region its most profitable. πŸ”Œ Sales of used EVs have increased in Europe due to the war in Iran driving up oil prices, *[Reuters]()* reported citing online car retail data. [As we said]() earlier in the week, it's a great time to consider a secondhand EV on this side of the pond for the same reasons. 🎞️ Lewis Hamilton says his new production company, Dawn Apollo Films, has drafted scripts for a sequel to last year's F1 movie. It's also working on TV series and documentary projects, the driver said, according to *[Motorsport.com]()*. 🐎 Ford has announced another new special edition Mustang, this one a partnership with Troy Lee Designs. It's based on the EcoBoost package and offers distinctive side decals, bronze wheels, a red interior, and some GT body panels for an extra $3,000, per [*Ford Authority*](). ⚫ Lotus has introduced a limited-edition Emira for North America, believe it or not, called the Scura. Only 60 will be made, and it pretty much looks to be a normal Emira, but blacked-out, from paint, to window tints, to interior trim, to lighting, according to *[Motor1]()*. πŸ“‰ Volkswagen is calling it quits for Skoda in China this year, pulling the Czech brand from the region after annual sales tanked from around 300,000 units less than a decade ago to just 15,000 in 2025, *[Reuters]()* reports. *Got feedback or a tip? Email tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()