[pdabbadabba]

That's not how I read it. GP's #1 says that you're already saving $25 just looking at the cost of parts because the panel is about the same price as a traditional head unit and then there's the wiper switch. (Maybe you're right though, that they're not really saving on the switch.)

But then, #2, you factor in the cost savings associated with simplified manufacturing (which, as GP explains, goes well beyond just the wiper switch). This is what makes the panel approach much cheaper.

[jeffbee]

I'm just not seeing it. Flat panel display costs scales according to area. The Tesla 3 has a huge display. It surely costs a lot. And, Tesla isn't the kind of company that is either interested in or able to optimize for cost. They sell expensive cars and they lose a lot of money on them. They're also notorious for having ridiculously expensive assemblies, like the $2000 headlights of the Model S.

To me, the much more plausible aspect of the explanation is they think it looks cool/futuristic and their buyers are buying for reasons other than usability.

[pdabbadabba]

OK. But now it sounds like you're just disagreeing about the cost of the panel. That's fine. I certainly don't know how much the panel costs. But it's completely different from the previous point, right?

I'd also point out that Tesla is hardly the only automaker that is increasing its use of a single touchscreen for these functions. And, before that, manufacturers were already combining features into all-in-one units that were very similar in principle but controlled in different ways--such as with weird knobs, and other things. I expect it's a combination of consumer "wow factor"--which will probably wear off very soon--and streamlined manufacturing that drives this. But I'm no expert.