[davn]

Lawn tractors have push button start too, so I don't see that aspect of it as a big leap forward ... probably cheaper than the key lock mechanism.

when electric starters replaced manual cranking, it was most often activated by pressing with the foot a heavy duty "button switch" much like the floor hi beam switch on cars of the 50 and 60-'s, (also military vehicles may still use them) the "key" and "ignition" were often very far apart and separate,