Nope. They are capacitive sensing.
That is, they have two layers of conductive material seperated by a non-conductive layer. Putting current through one of the layers creates a capacitor which stores electrical charge. The capacitance can be measured. Touching the button changes the capacitance of the capacitor by allowing current to leak through your body- this change can be measured. Putting your finger "near" the button may cause enough of a change in the capacitance to trigger the sensor. Gloves inhibit this effect because the gloves are insulators and reduce the amount of current drawn from the button.
The My Ford Touch main display on the other hand is a resistive touch screen display. It operates by having a flexible plastic screen with transparent conductive "wires" etched on it form a connection with another layer with transparent conductive "wires". You have to press harder with the resistive display because you have to physically push one layer into the other. I think most people who have issues with this display registering their touches don't press hard enough because you really do feel the top layer bending - to some it can seem uncomfortable. You generally have to press harder on a resistive display vs. a capacitive display.
B.T.W. - most touch screen devices these days (iPad, iPhone) use capacitive displays so people aren't used to the harder force required to push the resistive display. There are good reasons for using a resistive display. They are generally thought to be more durable for one....
