I was sort of convinced by this argument, theoretically, until I actually experienced the alternative.
I've had a Toyota for four years now with all physical switches, but the complexity and number of controls is absolutely mind bogging large. I can't operate these physical switches without looking at inscrutable, small labels in awkward places. A centralized screen which allows clear view of the road at the same time is much safer than stalks with arrays of switches that have 4+ settings. At least when I'm operating it.
I dunno, my 18 year old Honda (and wife's Toyota of same age) is pretty much all physical switches (and that's not counting all the cars I've driven since the late 80s). Outside of the occasional manufacturer idiosyncrasies, my Honda's controls pretty much behave the same way that all my prior cars did too.
Yes, there are a lot, but I only use a handful of them at any given time. They work predictably, without any random lags related to CPU load or any other weird stuff that could be related to running a -large- complex operating system. Everything just works, and all the time. -- edit: might want to add that they don't need software upgrades either
Between cruise control, volumes controls, front wipers, back wipers, camera controls, interior light controls, HVAC, the array is truly bewildering, and I've never been in two cars that were similar unless they had the same manufacturer and were manufactured relatively closely.
Now, on my Toyota, though I find the controls bewildering and worse than a well-done screen, I would never ever want Toyota to make a screen based control for these. Their 2019 screen system is laggy, looks like it was built in 2008, and is really not even fit for the purpose of selecting radio stations, much less the wholly inadequate map navigation system they put on it.
Or the choice is having a traditional auto maker have switches or a screen, give me switches. If the choice is to have a halfway competent UI and hardware designer give me switches or a screen, give me the screen.
If you find that bewildering, maybe it's a generational thing. I've been driving for around 35 years, and I never really found it too hard going from one car to another before the LCD era.
At this point, I'm trying to avoid buying a new car, because I don't want a car where I have to put a key in a faraday cage, etc. I don't want to use my phone to unlock my car. To me, these "modern conveniences" have gone so far out of control that they're an inconvenience, and sometimes even dangerous.
I've had a Toyota for four years now with all physical switches, but the complexity and number of controls is absolutely mind bogging large. I can't operate these physical switches without looking at inscrutable, small labels in awkward places. A centralized screen which allows clear view of the road at the same time is much safer than stalks with arrays of switches that have 4+ settings. At least when I'm operating it.