Has any auto manufacturer tried to justify touchscreens, or commented on their safety?

1. Are car touchscreens safe?
2. Why do new cars have touch screens?
3. When did touch screens become standard in cars?

Are car touchscreens safe?

Button Pusher. Many automakers are getting rid of good ol' fashioned buttons and switches these days, in favor of touchscreen infotainment systems. Now, new evidence shows those touchscreens are far less safe and efficient than the old school alternative, according to the findings of Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare.

Why do new cars have touch screens?

Given that a screen has to go into the dashboard anyway (thanks to things like backup camera requirements) and the fact that people increasingly won't consider a car without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, touchscreens make life easier for automakers in terms of design and assembly.

When did touch screens become standard in cars?

Around the 2010s, touch screen digital displays became widely used in cars. Consumers were increasingly becoming comfortable with touchscreens, mainly due to the increasing use of smartphones; hence this evolution was natural.