Volkswagen: the boss demands an improvement in the multimedia systems

Last month we reported that Thomas Schaefer, CEO of volkswagen, had ordered to bring back the physical buttons in the manufacturer’s vehicles following a panoply of complaints from consumers. Now we learn that he would also like the multimedia system of the latest models, including the electric family ID and the Golf GTI and R, to be completely redesigned.

It was on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Motor Show that Mr. Schäfer confided in the media Car Magazine on the subject. He would have bluntly admitted that Volkswagen’s current multimedia systems have serious ergonomic problems, not to mention their slowness and the host of bugs they present.

These problems particularly affect the most recent generation of multimedia systems from Volkswagen called MIB3. To remedy the problems, the company will begin from 2023 the transformation of certain touch buttons to physical buttons, such as those placed on the steering wheel and those which operate the air conditioning and the volume. These would, according to the CEO, correct the unlit controls at night which have caused a great deal of controversy since their arrival.

Then, a good remote update is planned from January 2023. This one, which will bear the name of version 3.0, would be much faster in execution and would make it possible to correct several of the current bugs.

Finally, Mr. Schäfer explained that a series of user experience clinics have already been set up at the manufacturer. These would consist of having the multimedia system operated by third parties and collecting their comments.

Mr. Schäfer explained that these individuals are not employees of the Volkswagen group. The objective would be to obtain an objective opinion from neutral sources. These clinics are reportedly underway as of this writing, and new media systems are already planned for the 2024 model year.

Conclusion

Those who follow me already know my opinion on the latest Volkswagen models. One of my biggest gripes with the ID.4s and the Golf GTIs and Rs is their user interface and ergonomics. Not only is this a big step backwards compared to the brand’s old products, but the controls are almost unusable at times because everything is so screwed up. Moreover, multiple comments and messages sent to RPM by owners confirm that I am not the only one who finds this nonsense.

Volkswagen’s announcement to want to review everything about its user experience is appreciated. It is also a sign that the manufacturer is listening to its customers and the media and that it is constantly seeking to improve. However, I deplore the fact that current customers will remain stuck with ergonomic problems that will only be partially resolved by the update.

It will now remain to be seen if the improvements will solve all the problems. And we will have to be patient, because we will not see the color of these changes before next spring, at least. We come back to you with our analyses.