Indicator Stalk Placement. VW Puts It on The Left in The New Amarok

Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 15:58
Last edited 16/05/2023 - 18:44

I don’t get it. New Amorok is built on the Ranger platform, even apparently has the same steering column shroud. I can sort of understand they’ve put the indicator stalk on the left to match other VWs, but why must they persist with putting the stalk on the ‘wrong’ side for RHD vehicles?

They go to the effort of novo mg the steering wheel and adapting the dash and other parts, why can’t they put the indicator on the right ‘right’ side - away from the gear stick.

I have only rarely driven a vehicle with the stalk on the left, but frequently hit the wipers when I do, then often end up hitting the wipers back in my car too.

I understand having it on the ‘same’ side is easier for manufacturers, but IMO it shouldn’t be on the gear stick side so you can change gears and flick the indicators easily at the same time.

Thoughts?

Poll Options

  • 241
    Indicator should be on the right in all RHD cars
  • 21
    Doesn’t matter I put the wipers on instead anyway
  • 12
    Should be all on the left like all LHD cars
  • 12
    Doesn’t matter as all cars are becoming automatic anyway
  • 20
    Bikies
  • 2
    Didn’t check under the bonut thingy (forgot to add this initially)
Automotive

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 16:01
    +93

    Where's the option:

    I drive multiple cars like this and have adapted to it and it is no longer an issue.

    • GG57 on 16/05/2023 - 16:07
      +11

      Exactly.
      Driving multiple vehicles with different indicator stalk locations, on a daily basis, isn't an issue for me.

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 16:58
      +5

      Funnily enough, my wife used to occasionally drive her parents euro car just fine, but when she hopped in my work falcon would always hit the wipers first.

      I normally adapt after a while, but when you’ve driven with indicator right for a very long time in many different vehicles it just takes longer to adapt.

      • Thinkswithelbow on 19/05/2023 - 07:23
        +1

        I've never found this an issue. My wife's car is on the right and mine is on the left. Mine is manual also.

        I thought like yourself it may be an issue when changing gears and turning a corner….but not once in the many years of driving has it ever been an issue.

        The only time I get it wrong is if I get into a car I've not driven before…after the first drive it's muscle memory

    • skillet on 17/05/2023 - 12:22

      I have a few cars, my kids would have lots of fun and giggles when I do that. You would quickly learn and adapt from that.

    • BlipBlipBoo on 25/05/2023 - 16:51

      I turn left more than right so when driving one handed, its easier :D, simple flick on….

  • Ricky Jones on 16/05/2023 - 16:10
    +128

    Just buy a BMW and you don't have to worry about using indicators.

    • Bob Svargis on 17/05/2023 - 08:47
      +1

      Or a Range Rover… Or an Audi. They're all driven by better classes of people and they shouldn't have to indicate.

    • Rockets84 on 17/05/2023 - 13:24
      +2

      Is that because most Beamers going around the corner have the wipers going when it's not raining as the bloody indicator is on the wrong bloody side?

      • Domingo on 18/05/2023 - 07:42
        +7

        Not a chance of a beamer driver accidentally hitting the wipers. You have to be intending to indicate to make that mistake

    • Dreamcast on 17/05/2023 - 20:15

      That or move to Western Sydney.

  • CrispyChrispy on 16/05/2023 - 16:16
    +7

    You'll get used to it.

    • bobbified on 16/05/2023 - 16:48
      +5

      I grew up driving japanese cars where it's on the right hand side and have been driving a euro car for the last six years. I still sometimes make the mistake and go for the right-side stalk and end up turning on the wipers instead of indicating!

      • CrispyChrispy on 16/05/2023 - 16:49
        +1

        Yeah, happens to me on occasion too. But you hit the wipers once, remember, then don't have an issue with it again for the rest of the drive.

        • Hangryuman on 19/05/2023 - 10:30

          yep - you indicate your intention to turn by waving - the wipers

      • jrowls on 19/05/2023 - 09:59

        Right! I was driving extremely tired the other day and hit the wipers instead of the indicator in my Subaru. I haven't owned or driven a Euro in ten years, but I learned to drive in an old 535 BMW. The reflex just came back when I was knackered!

  • Almost Banned on 16/05/2023 - 16:19
    +2

    It is not uncommon for Euro cars to have the indicator stalk on the left.
    It takes a little getting used to, but you do get used to it.
    I was surprised that my daughter's Ford Focus has the indicator on the left - wasn't expecting it from a Ford, but there you go.

    • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 16:29

      Is it a made in Germany or Thailand Focus?

      I'm guessing Germany (LW MK1)

      • Almost Banned on 16/05/2023 - 17:44

        Its a 2010 Focus LX Hatch - pretty sure that a Mk2.

        • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 18:12

          That's a South African car as stewardo below suggests.

          The LW MK1 was made in Germany with indicators on the left.

          The LW MK2 was made in Thailand and had them on the right.

          • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 18:49
            -1

            @Muzeeb: That’s even worse. Having the same model with different sides depending on where it came from. Why can’t they design such that the stall can go on either side?

            • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 18:55

              @Euphemistic: The German plant was likely targetting the euro mark predominantly.
              The Thailand plant likely targetting the RHD market especially Australia because there are heaps of the MK2 in Australia.

              The German made Focus didn't even have an arm rest. So much for German engineering.

              • resisting the urge on 18/05/2023 - 15:38

                @Muzeeb: At the end of the day they can, they just can't be bothered thinking about the customer once the results of market research feeding the design process is complete.

                That said it all they heard was that customers wanted more and more jewellery on their horse and plastic carts, and square corners with round windows, instead of a practical motorcar that can be powered at a lower cost than hydrocarbons persistently ratcheted up by the richest 0.01%. And has made no practically zero difference to their design briefs for the last decade or so anyhow.

      • Stewardo on 16/05/2023 - 18:07

        I think this focus was made in South Africa as well at same plant as new ranger. This model had some Volvo branded parts on it as well.

        • Gareth on 17/05/2023 - 11:14

          XR5? That 5-cylinder engine is a Volvo design (of course, Ford owned Volvo at the time).

          Having had three Focuses (2xSA [LT and LV Mk2] + German built LW MK1) and now a Mondeo (MC - German design, Belgium build) I don't know what the problem is - it's all these other vehicles with the stalk on the wrong side… 😉

    • GG57 on 16/05/2023 - 16:33
      -3

      Surely it would be the case that the vast majority of vehicles in the world have the indicator stalk on the left.
      It is uncommon for it to be on the right side.

  • Mechz on 16/05/2023 - 16:30
    +1

    I think it's a good trick to have drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel. I know a lot tend to rest one arm in the middle but with the indicator stalk on the left it's much less convenient to drive 1 handed.

    • hopper on 18/05/2023 - 17:48
      +1

      It will not make sense if you are driving manual where one hand always stays on gear rod

      • jrowls on 19/05/2023 - 09:59

        You shouldn't rest your hand on the gearstick if you're driving manual, it's not good for it.

  • Drakesy on 16/05/2023 - 16:37
    +5

    Welcome to Euro cars!
    all VAG cars do this ;)

    • WhyAmICommenting on 17/05/2023 - 19:26
      +1

      Heh heh

      • Drakesy on 17/05/2023 - 20:13
        -2

        My VAG lets me put it in the centre personally…

  • Brian McGee on 16/05/2023 - 16:47
    +1

    So get a Ranger and save some money (and arguably a better vehicle)?

  • Stewardo on 16/05/2023 - 16:55

    I’m guessing the Volkswagen and Ford versions that are made in the South African plant are predominantly for the LHD market with some RHD Volkswagens. And the ford rangers made in Thailand are made for RHD. They probably decided there wasn’t any cost benefit in doing both indicator versions in SA plant.

  • Seraphin7 on 16/05/2023 - 16:55
    +3

    why must they persist with putting the stalk on the ‘wrong’ side for RHD vehicles

    They want you to think you're driving a premium German vehicle.

    • Mechz on 18/05/2023 - 18:22

      I don't think anyone is under the 'premium' illusion here

  • Drpepper666 on 16/05/2023 - 16:58
    -6

    The majority of turns are left, so it makes more sense to be on the left OP

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 17:00
      +3

      So we should have the left indicator on the left of the wheel and the right on the right?

      • mapax on 16/05/2023 - 18:38
        +1

        Still better than a single indicator stalk on the left.

      • md333 on 17/05/2023 - 12:52

        BMW used to do that on their motorcycles, a switch on each side. Not sure if they still do.

  • pegaxs on 16/05/2023 - 17:18
    +5

    Because VW are not going to bother with it for the 6 Amarok utes they will sell in the next 12 months… :D

    • WhyAmICommenting on 17/05/2023 - 21:10
      +1

      The bloody things are everywhere in Brisbane. Can’t stand them.

  • AustriaBargain on 16/05/2023 - 17:37

    If it's an auto then does it matter.

    • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 17:40
      -1

      Why does it matter if it's a manual?

      • AustriaBargain on 16/05/2023 - 17:47

        OP mentioned that it's on the same side as the gear stick. If you're driving an automatic then you don't really need to touch the gear and indicate at the same time very often. Maybe when reverse parking it might require a bit of adjustment.

        • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 17:49
          -1

          Not an issue if you actually know how to drive a manual and have good situational awareness.

          I saw this issue teaching my kids to drive a manual. After a few mistakes you soon learn about being in the correct gear and when to prioritise indicating.

          • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 18:35
            +4

            @Muzeeb: But if there is a simple design solution, why not put the indicator opposite the gear stick? Yes, you can get used to it, but why should we put up with poor engineering?

            In a manual it’s not difficult to change gears the use the indicator then change gears but for the lazier of us, leaving a hand on the gear stick between 1-2-3-4 getting up to speed isn’t uncommon. Not unusual to have to indicate a lane change during that time either.

            • AustriaBargain on 16/05/2023 - 19:26
              +2

              @Euphemistic: In 2021 just 3 per cent of new cars sold in Australia had a manual transmission, it could be even lower today. In 2020 just 11,282 new manuals were sold in Australia. The gear stick situation is really a non issue for at least 97% of people looking to buy a new car. Why should VW care how 10,000 people in Australia feel about this issue?

          • mskeggs on 16/05/2023 - 20:14
            +2

            @Muzeeb: Apparently three on the tree means nothing to you people.

            • Muzeeb on 16/05/2023 - 20:24
              +1

              @mskeggs: No one here is that old 😉

              Four on the floor is the minimum in this neck of the woods.

            • miwahni on 16/05/2023 - 21:07
              +2

              @mskeggs: And no synchro in first! Those old boxes were real crunchers.

          • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 18:03

            @Muzeeb: Eh, it’s still more convenient to be able to signal and shift gears simultaneously when required.

            Like exiting a roundabout, you can signal to exit and shift gears to accelerate out of it simultaneously.

            • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 18:18
              -2

              @Ghost47: A good manual driver would be in the correct gear when entering the roundabout to accelerate out.

              • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 18:46
                +1

                @Muzeeb: Lol k.

                • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 18:52
                  -1

                  @Ghost47: Laugh all you want then learn how to drive a manual correctly.

                  • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 19:00
                    +2

                    @Muzeeb: I can drive a manual just fine. It's quite sad, I wasn't attacking you yet here you are claiming I can't drive a manual just because I said it was convenient to be able to change gears and signal at the same time. Sad.

                    • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 19:06
                      -3

                      @Ghost47: That's fine. Nearly everyone can drive a manual but not everyone can drive them correctly. We will agree to disagree.

                      • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 19:13
                        +1

                        @Muzeeb: True, good manual drivers can switch gears and signal at the same time.

                        • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 19:15
                          -1

                          @Ghost47: I wasn't clear then. See here

                          • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 19:23
                            +1

                            @Muzeeb: That's just linking to another comment you made? Share with me 30 articles online that back up what you say then I'll start taking you seriously.

                            • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 19:38

                              @Ghost47: Yes it is linking to another comment to clarify my position.

                              You said

                              good manual drivers can switch gears and signal at the same time.

                              I'm saying that's actually a sign of an average manual driver. You indicate your intentions early. Other than an emergency scenario a manual car driven correctly would never see the driver having to prioritise between changing gears and indicating.

                              • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 19:46
                                +1

                                @Muzeeb: Your position isn't my fact.

                                The whole point is that it's convenient to be able to do both simultaneously, or at least faster than it takes to move your hand from the indicator to the stick. That's an objective fact.

              • Euphemistic on 17/05/2023 - 19:11

                @Muzeeb: I can’t get across a roundabout in first gear. It’s too low, but second is a little high to take off in. Need to change to second and often third on large roundabouts.

                • Muzeeb on 17/05/2023 - 19:14

                  @Euphemistic: But you would have already indicated your intentions. A manual car driven correctly would rarely, if ever, see you changing gears and having to indicate at the same time.

        • 2esc on 17/05/2023 - 08:23
          +1

          I personally think indicators should be on the right we got a Audi tt a year or so ago and its on the left our other 2 cars have indicators on the right but in regards to changing gears and using the indicator it shoulnt be a problem unless driving too hard and too fast indicate first then change gears all well before the corner.

  • niyiaw on 16/05/2023 - 17:48

    Out of interest would it be possible to custom refit the indicator to the right side and at what cost?

    • GordonD on 16/05/2023 - 18:02

      Alternatively you could refit the steering wheel and pedals to be in front of the other front seat, making the car LHD, and there wouldn't be a problem.

      This is Tesla's solution now its not building RHD drive versions of some models. Offer customers LHD cars in RHD countries like the UK that allow them to be registered.

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 18:38

      I’d imagine it wouldn’t be hard in an Amorok. Many of the ford parts would likely fit straight up.

      In other cars it’s a little more difficult. wen you are at design stage it would cost very little to enable it to be done very easily. They make millions of indicator stalks and use them across many models. making a hundred thousand for the opposite side wouldn’t cost much extra.

  • Ryk on 16/05/2023 - 19:30

    I have a mazda and a VW, no matter which car I drive the wipers get an extra workout.
    Indicators right should be an ADR.
    The handbrake, if placed in the centre console, should also be right of the centre line (or on the centre line).

    Most euros cheap out on the design/engineering/build of RHD.
    Thankfully the wipers sweep right on the VW

    Their keyless start/stop also differs, when auto-stopped as you pull into a parking space;
    opening the driver's door starts the mazda engine,
    In the VW, opening the driver's door will turn off the car.

  • Low Battery on 16/05/2023 - 19:43

    I've owned 5 cars with the indicator on the left and it's not hard to adapt, the only time I've hit the wrong stalk was when moving back to a right hand indicator stalk car when I've wanted to turn on the windscreen wipers!

    Apparently Tesla could be ditching the Indicator and Windscreen wiper stalks all together https://www.drive.com.au/news/2024-tesla-model-3-facelift-in…

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 21:15
      +9

      Tesla can go to hell with all their ‘everything on a touch screen menu’ system.

  • plmko on 16/05/2023 - 20:14

    That's why typically the "wooden duck" phrase is reserved for European car buyers.

  • bradl822 on 16/05/2023 - 20:38

    I think it comes down to ease of manufacture. Like you said they adapt the dash which in manufacturing is a very distinct difference. But old mate doing quality control or internal work on the car could easily wire the indicator or lights incorrectly. I think sometimes it's about keeping it simple for manufacture rather then caring about what works for the consumer.

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2023 - 21:11

      One different plug for each. Simples.

  • Geoff01 on 17/05/2023 - 09:15

    In my older rock the bonnet release is on the passenger side and the hand brake is the left side of the console with drink holder next to me. Bigger problems in the World

  • archiexyz on 17/05/2023 - 09:15

    I prefer the left hand indicator, given most people are right handed and better to have your dominant hand on the wheel over your non-dominant

  • OZBargainer in SA on 17/05/2023 - 09:22
    +1

    "No Sir/Ma'am, this is not related to a Ford Ranger; see how the indicator is on the proper side, like all the other VWs?"

  • brad1-8tsi on 17/05/2023 - 11:05
    +2

    My Skoda was on the left. Partners Mazda on the right. We regularly drove each others cars and it wasn't an issue.

    I prefer it on the left. Right hand constantly on the wheel. Left hand changing gears, indicating and steering

    • Euphemistic on 17/05/2023 - 14:45
      +1

      I seem to be able to keep my right hand on the wheel and simply extend my fingers to use the indicators. Much rather do that than move hand from gear stick to wheel and back to use the indicators. (Yes, I’m old school and still drive a manual because I just want to)

  • Rockets84 on 17/05/2023 - 11:23

    They should have the indicator on the right, you go to all the effort to make the car right hand drive which requires numerous specific parts yet don't get a specific part that the driver users all the time as a RHD part seems like a cop out. I just got a new car and to activate the wipers you have to move the left stalk up rather than down, can't say I've ever seen that before.

    • theMoebius on 17/05/2023 - 13:06

      I don't think the indicator placement is a LHD vs RHD thing, more a Asian manufacturer vs Euro manufacturer thing?

      • Rockets84 on 17/05/2023 - 13:14

        It is a LHD vs RHD thing. With a manual transmission you really should have the indicator stalk to be used by the other hand that isn't operating the gear stick. In the late 90's I drove a Holden Combo van for work. It was a actually a rebadged Opel (German) so the indicator was on the left side of the steering wheel but it was also a manual, I quite often had to do a strange use the indicator with my right hand across the steering wheel as my left hand was busy changing gears. I was such a gutless wonder you couldn't afford to not be in the right gear when driving it.

  • Ghost47 on 17/05/2023 - 18:04

    People pay more to have the indicator on the left.

  • branners on 17/05/2023 - 18:52

    When Holden was developing the local version of the final Commodore (the ZB), the Vauxhall/Opel version (the Insignia) had the indicator stalk on the left. The Holden engineering team wanted it changed to the right and the international engineering team wanted it to stay on the left, because they believe that made it feel 'premium'.
    Eventually the locals won, but Holden had to pick up the tab for engineering the change which was, apparently, about $1m. Not that it made much difference in the end.

    • Rockets84 on 18/05/2023 - 09:34
      +1

      As a owner of a ZB it's nice to have the indicator on the right but the Opel engineers still managed to sneak in some euro quirkiness. With the windscreen wipers you have to move the stalk up, rather than down like previous Commodores, to turn on the wipers.

  • Chris Topher on 17/05/2023 - 18:56

    The indicator stalk could be placed just right of the brake pedal.

    It is extremely rare that indicators are used in a proper manner. The same as a "CYA later".or "abuse audio device" (horn) is also never used as it should.

    3 redundant things that are never used correctly: Indicators, horns and single continuous lines.

    • Euphemistic on 17/05/2023 - 19:09

      Beg to differ. I see indicators used correctly quite a lot. Probably don’t even notice it half the time. Only really notice when it’s done wrong.

  • opt on 17/05/2023 - 19:16
    +3

    Its not just VW or VAG cars, pretty much all European cars have the stalk on the left like BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover the list goes on.. When Mercedes made the X class based on the Navara they had the stalk on the left too. And of course the previous Amarok had it on the left as well, so why should the new model be any different just because they share a platform with Ford? Car manufacturers like to keep things consistent across their models.

    I never had a problem with which side the stalk was on with my cars, we had a Japanese and a European car until end of last year, and I switched between them regularly. I got used to it just like I got used to all the other differences between the two cars like where the start stop button is, parking brake, and how the gears are shifted. Few years back we had a manual and an auto, which IMO is a bigger difference, but didn’t have a problem switching between those either. You’ll get used to it.

    PS: Think you should add an option to your poll for those who don’t care because its easy to get used to and doesn't bother them.

  • banana365 on 17/05/2023 - 19:27

    Reminds me of someone who was driving a car with the lights/wipers on a different side to what he was used to. Another driver cut him up, he swore, went to flash his lights and his passenger (his daughter) laughed and said "You tell him dad, flash your windscreen wipers at him!"

  • Breno785au on 17/05/2023 - 21:39

    They should just have buttons on the steering wheels instead of stalks

  • AryaTheExplorer on 17/05/2023 - 22:38

    Cost cutting and out of touch designers. No surprise they think putting temp controls as a touch sensitive slider on the dash with no backlight was a good idea. Reminds me of the new chery not changing the steering wheel button layout for RHD and you end up with radio controls on the right side of the wheel and cruise control buttons on the left (same side as the wiper controls)

  • SydStrand on 18/05/2023 - 00:20

    It takes a week, max, to get used to an indicator stalk on an unfamiliar side.

    While the new Amarok shares the Ranger platform, they probably picked a lot from the VW parts bin for interior, including the steering column.

  • Davo1111 on 18/05/2023 - 01:38
    -1

    Learn to drive

  • nosey on 18/05/2023 - 08:32

    Yeah its annoying but not a big deal for general driving or a second hand car.

    However it definitely impacts my brand new buying choices, as ill remove any left side indicator from consideration.

    • GG57 on 18/05/2023 - 09:55

      Of all the things to consider in a vehicle purchase, I would never have included that in my list.

      • nosey on 18/05/2023 - 14:55

        I know, its pedantic but plenty of options out there.

        • GG57 on 18/05/2023 - 15:03

          TBH, car manufacturers would be sensible in standardising their vehicles to the majority wherever possible, to have the most efficiencies in their production runs. Apparently only ~33% of the global population drive on the left side of the road. The more changes in a vehicle's 'standard' configuration introduces the risk of more defects.

  • foursaken on 18/05/2023 - 08:39

    So you bought something knowing there was a problem bad enough for you to complain on an internet forum? Ok.

    • Euphemistic on 18/05/2023 - 10:06

      No. I saw a review for the new Amorok which is built on the Ranger platform and thought it was a dumb decision to switch the indicator stalk.

      I have never owned a car with a left indicator but the few times I’ve driven them it sucked to have them on the ‘wrong’ side despite getting used to it a bit.

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