China is moving to require physical controls in Chinese-built cars, marking a major shift away from touchscreen-only cabin designs. Under the new mandate, the change is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.
The rule means essential vehicle functions will need to be operated by buttons or other dedicated controls rather than through a central display. The functions named in the description include the demister, defogger, power windows, lighting and gear shifting.
That would force carmakers building vehicles in China to keep traditional controls for core tasks that drivers may need to access quickly. It also sets a clear limit on the growing trend of moving more in-car functions into touchscreen menus.
For the auto industry, the requirement could influence dashboard design, control layouts and software plans for future models made in China. As more brands have embraced large screens and minimal physical switchgear, this rule points in the opposite direction for critical controls.
