In response to recent legislation introduced by lawmakers, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced on Tuesday that the company will not remove AM broadcast radio as a feature in its new vehicles. Farley took to Twitter to confirm that all 2024 Ford vehicles will include AM broadcast capability, and existing Ford electric vehicles without this feature will receive a software update. Farley expressed gratitude towards the product development and manufacturing teams for promptly addressing the concerns raised by customers.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senator Ed Markey, introduced the legislation last week to prevent automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new vehicles. Their primary motivation stems from safety concerns regarding emergency alerts. According to Senator Markey, several automakers, including Tesla, BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen, had already made the decision to remove AM broadcast radio from their electric vehicles.
Senator Markey commended Ford for acknowledging the concerns raised by millions of listeners, broadcasters, and emergency management officials who had called for automakers to retain AM radio in their vehicles. The proposed bill aims to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish regulations that mandate the inclusion of AM radio in new vehicles at no additional cost. Markey emphasized that automakers should not disregard AM radio or make it accessible only through expensive digital platforms.
Lawmakers argue that the elimination of AM radio undermines a federal system designed to deliver critical public safety information to the public. However, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, believes that mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. The group highlights the existing system, which utilizes AM, FM, internet-based or satellite radio, and cellular networks to distribute emergency warnings. They view the legislation as an attempt to favor a specific technology while competing with other communication options and adapting to evolving listenership trends.
The debate surrounding the inclusion of AM broadcast radio in vehicles reflects the ongoing tension between technological advancements and the preservation of reliable and accessible communication channels for public safety information. As the legislation progresses, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and whether other automakers will follow Ford’s lead in retaining AM broadcast radio in their upcoming vehicle models.
