Ferrari’s shift toward touchscreen-heavy interiors is being driven as much by cost considerations as by design trends, according to CEO Benedetto Vigna. The executive said digital touch controls can be roughly 50 percent cheaper to produce than traditional physical buttons.
The comments were made in an interview discussing the company’s upcoming electric vehicle strategy, including its new EV model. Vigna explained that the economics of manufacturing play a significant role in the growing adoption of touchscreen interfaces across the automotive industry.
Modern vehicle interiors increasingly rely on centralized displays to replace mechanical switches, knobs, and buttons. While these interfaces are often presented as part of a broader move toward digital user experiences, automakers are also benefiting from reduced production complexity.
Physical controls require multiple individual components, including mechanical parts, wiring, and dedicated tooling for manufacturing. Each button or switch must be designed, tested, and integrated separately, increasing both production costs and assembly time.
Touchscreens, by contrast, consolidate many functions into a single hardware unit. Once installed, software can be used to control multiple features, reducing the need for additional physical components. This approach simplifies manufacturing and allows automakers to update functionality through software rather than hardware redesign.
Vigna noted that producing high quality physical controls involves specialized tooling and craftsmanship, which can significantly increase costs. In premium vehicles, where materials and tactile feedback are closely tied to brand identity, these costs can be even higher.
Despite the cost advantages of touch interfaces, Ferrari indicated it does not plan to eliminate physical controls entirely. The company is pursuing what it describes as a “phygital” approach, combining physical inputs with digital systems.
This strategy reflects broader industry feedback from customers who have raised concerns about usability and ergonomics in fully touchscreen-based systems. In some cases, replacing physical controls with digital interfaces has been criticized for increasing driver distraction and reducing ease of use.
Ferrari has already begun adjusting its interior design direction to reintroduce more tactile elements. The company aims to balance modern digital features with physical interaction points that align with its brand identity and driving experience.
The discussion comes as automakers continue to experiment with interior design in the transition toward electric vehicles. EV platforms often allow greater flexibility in cabin layout, encouraging manufacturers to rethink traditional control schemes.
At the same time, cost pressures associated with electrification, including battery development and supply chain constraints, are pushing companies to find efficiencies in other areas of vehicle design.
Ferrari’s acknowledgment highlights a broader industry trend in which design decisions are increasingly influenced by manufacturing economics alongside user experience considerations.
