Ford Hits Brakes On Plans To Phase AM Radio Out Of New Vehicles
Ford CEO Jim Farley has announced that the company would include AM radio as part of all newly manufactured vehicles in 2024. In a statement posted Tuesday morning on Twitter, Farley says, “After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we’ve decided to include it on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles.”
After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we’ve decided to include it on all 2024 @Ford & @LincolnMotorCo vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software…
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) May 23, 2023
Farley went on to say that any owners of a Ford electric vehicle without AM broadcast capability would be offered the capability through a software update. The reversal follows action by lawmakers who introduced the AM for Every Vehicle Act last week, and opposition by broadcast associations.
The National Association of Broadcasters, in a statement responded, “In light of Ford’s announcement, NAB urges other automakers who have removed AM radio from their vehicles to follow Ford’s lead.” The AM for Every Vehicle Act cited the importance of keeping communities informed during emergencies, particularly rural communities with a lack of other information resources.
From NAFB News Service
