--- title: "VW Finally Brings Buttons Back for Real in a Car You Canโ€™t Buy: TDS" date: "2026-04-15" modified: "2026-04-15" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/vw-finally-brings-buttons-back-for-real-in-a-car-you-cant-buy-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "compact" - "Electric Vehicle" - "Hatchback" - "Volkswagen" --- # VW Finally Brings Buttons Back for Real in a Car You Canโ€™t Buy: TDS ![VW ID 3 Neo interior]() *Volkswagen ID 3 Neo interior. \Volkswagen\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *TDS* summarizes all the morning's biggest auto industry headlines into one quick read, so you can get up to speed and on with your day. Each item contains a link you can follow for deeper info. They *don't* contain coffee, though, so you'll have to grab a cup of your own. Happy Wednesday, here's what's happening. ๐Ÿ”Š The latest episode of *The Drivecast*, *The Driveโ€™s* new weekly podcast, will go live later today. Be sure to stay tuned, whether you listen on *The Drive*, [Apple Podcasts](), or [Spotify](). โ˜๏ธ Volkswagen has [revealed]() its new ID 3 Neo EV. While it isn't due for sale in the States, it's an example of VW putting all its feedback into practice, with a dashboard that sheds practically all capacitive touch controls and sliders for real, physical buttons. ๐Ÿ’ธ In other VW news, the [conclusion of ID 4 production]() at the company's Tennessee plant in favor of the new Atlas is expected to eat into its first-quarter earnings, *[Reuters]()* has reported citing a management call. ๐Ÿš Honda is [recalling]() about 440,000 Odyssey minivans, ranging from model-year 2017 up to and including 2022, for side airbags that may deploy at inappropriate times, like when hitting potholes or speed bumps. Owners will need to bring their vehicles in for service, which requires flashing new software that can't just be downloaded over the air. ๐Ÿ˜‡ BMW told Australia's *[CarSales]()* that it'll consider launching some new "brand shapers" (read: enthusiast or halo models) only once it's completely revitalized its core lineup. ๐Ÿ”Œ Ionna, the North American EV charging network founded as a joint venture between eight automakers, has [announced]() a partnership that will bring 350 charging stations to Circle K locations. It's also still very much trying to make the word "rechargery" happen, which is unfortunate. ๐Ÿ”‹ Chinese battery giant CATL has announced a new partnership with SAIC-GM-Wuling to bring 10-minute charging to market in a race against BYD, per *[Electrek]()*. ๐Ÿ’ท An all-new, V8-powered Jensen Interceptor, called the Interceptor GTX and built by Jensen International Automotive, a company that has specialized in restoring the British company's classic cars, will debut this spring, *[Autocar]()* reports. *Got a tip or feedback? Drop us a line at 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]()