A bipartisan effort to preserve AM broadcast radio in new vehicles is gaining momentum as a bill aiming to prevent automakers from eliminating this essential feature advances to the Senate floor for further consideration.
(Photo : MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)
The interior of Ford's first mass-market electric car the Mustang Mach-E, which is an all-electric vehicle that bears the name of the companys iconic muscle car at a ceremony in Hawthorne, California on November 17, 2019.
Passing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act
The AM For Every Vehicle Act is heading to the Senate floor after the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the bill on Thursday. This significant legislation, which garnered strong bipartisan support, will prevent automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in new vehicles.
The bill is now eligible for a full Senate vote. However, no date has yet been scheduled. Reuters reported that the Senate bill has companion measures in the House of Representatives, further highlighting the importance of these proposed changes in Congress.
According to the provisions of the bill championed by Senators Democrat Edward Markey and Republican Ted Cruz, the Department of Transportation would establish a rule that necessitates all new motor vehicles manufactured in or imported to the US after the rule's effective date to be equipped with devices capable of accessing AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations as standard equipment.
This initiative is driven by the recognition of AM broadcast stations' vital role in delivering crucial emergency alerts and news, making them an essential component in enhancing road safety.
In the House, Automotive News reported that Rep. Josh Gottheimer leads the companion bill, with co-leads Reps. Tom Kean, Jr., Rob Menendez, Bruce Westerman, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, highlighting bipartisan efforts to promote road safety and enable access to vital emergency alerts and news through AM broadcast stations.
During the committee markup, Markey stated, "Our important bill will ensure that all vehicles, including electric vehicles, are equipped with AM radio and have access to critical alerts during emergencies."
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Automakers Removing AM Radio
To ensure compliance, automakers that do not include such devices that can access AM broadcast stations must inform buyers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling before the effective date of the rule.
Billboard reported that the legislation arose as several major car manufacturers have removed AM radio from their electric vehicles, including Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Volvo.
Ford previously announced plans to discontinue the technology in most of its "new and updated 2024" models, though they later reversed course due to pressure from Congress.
Eight out of the world's top 20 carmakers have reportedly eliminated the broadcast format from electric vehicles, favoring streaming as the predominant source of listening, especially in Bluetooth-equipped cars.
In April, radio consultant Fred Jacobs highlighted the critical issue of the fate of radio in automotive dashboards, emphasizing its significance.
In his Jacobs Media Group listener study, he revealed that 75% of new car buyers prioritize Bluetooth as "very important," followed closely by 71% for FM radio.
AM radio lagged behind, with only 32% considering it highly important. The study underscores the growing influence of Bluetooth technology in the automotive industry and raises concerns about the future of AM radio in car dashboards.
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