Ford to Discontinue AM Radios in Most New Vehicles Starting in 2024

[mystery-ak]

Ford to Discontinue AM Radios in Most New Vehicles Starting in 2024

Lucas Nolan 3 Apr 2023

Ford plans to drop AM radios from most of its new vehicles starting in 2024, raising concerns about public safety communication. The automaker had previously announced plans to drop the AM radio from its electric vehicles due to “interference” between the electric drive train and AM reception.

The Detroit Free Press reports that beginning in 2024, Ford will no longer offer AM radio in the majority of its newly released gas and electric-powered vehicles.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Detroit Free Press: “We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models. A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options. Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation — the definition of AM in this case — from most new and updated models we bring to market.”

Sherwood said that commercial vehicles will still offer AM radio despite these changes due to established contract language. Ford’s decision is in line with that of other automakers, including Volvo and German firms, which have already abandoned AM radio in their electric vehicles. For many years, Tesla, for example, hasn’t included AM radio in its all-electric vehicles.

Mike Ramsey, an analyst with Stamford, Connecticut-based Gartner Research Group, commented: “In essence, EV motors generate a lot of electromagnetic interference that affects the frequencies of AM radio and make it difficult to get a clear signal. It could be shielded, but given the diminishing listening habits to AM, the automakers haven’t chosen to do it. Most of the content there is available through other means, including podcast and internet streaming. In my view, this isn’t that different from automakers discontinuing 8-track players, cassette players and CD players. Technology has advanced. The idea that it is a critical safety channel is a bit suspect given that almost all critical communication now is sent through mobile phones.”

General Motors or Chrysler parent Stellantis have not officially confirmed plans to alter AM access in their 2024 vehicles. According to GM spokesman Stuart Fowle, “We are evaluating AM radio on future vehicles and not providing any further details at this time.”

more
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2023/04/03/ford-to-discontinue-am-radios-in-most-new-vehicles-starting-in-2024/

[cato potatoe]

The passing of Rush Limbaugh may have marked the unofficial end of AM. 

[Sighlass]

One of the challenges of car stereo installation (when I played my music too loud back in the day) was feedback loops with grounds and interference. Now days with cars being more plastic than metal and more electrically complex, I can only imagine the complexities of getting noise out of sound systems. Also, car manufacturers try to push the radios (extras meaning more money) by designing funky designs that discourage one from putting in after market radios... Crutchfield (after market car stereo/electronics sellers) did a great job of providing plastic to match a lot of car models so you could still get great sound by bypassing crappy (and expensive) in model systems.

[Smokin Joe]

If EV motors make that much RFI noise, just imagine the RFI hairball you'd be sitting in going through rush hour traffic if the vehicles around you were all EVs.

It's a great way to kill off (Conservative) talk radio, too.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

If EV motors make that much RFI noise, just imagine the RFI hairball you'd be sitting in going through rush hour traffic if the vehicles around you were all EVs.

It's a great way to kill off (Conservative) talk radio, too.

Here in the NE a lot of them are moving to FM anyway.