It’s probably a cost issue. Running one wire harness to a touch screen is a lot cheaper than running a wire to every button in a car.
Is the button panel not a separate unit? I’d imagine it would have a connector to plug into the cable that runs back to whatever control system, instead of it being a bundle of individuals.
Even if it’s a subassembly there’s gonna be more connectors in it, and probably more wire since it will need to run to the various buttons.
When you’re making tens of thousands of vehicles every penny counts.
I’d say the touch screen will be just as complex, probably more.
It will require the same controller hardware that’s usually in the heat/ac controller that has buttons and knobs, just controlled from a touchscreen.
You’ll still have the same wiring to servos from the control unit, but you’ll also have wiring for the touchscreen and its’ computer.
