sowny.net | The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum


You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

March 3, 2023 1:30 am  #1


Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

With all the stories here recently about electric vehicles not including AM because of too much interference, comes word that Ford is leaving the band out of another of its new cars. The difference this time? It's a gas-powered automobile and one of the most famous models the manufacturer ever released. 

One version of the 2024 Ford Mustang will not include AM, even though there's no chance of any interference, because it's an internal combustion engine. It's the first time to my knowledge that the band won't be included in a regular gas guzzler. 

It's another distressing blow for the band, which is already trying to stay afloat vs. FM and a host of streaming services, not to mention Sirius XM. The lack of AM has already attracted the attention of U.S. government officials, who fear it will cut people off from emergency announcements when they're needed the most. 

The question now is will other automakers follow suit - and will future buyers care if they do?

2024 Ford Mustang Will Also Ditch AM Radio

 

March 3, 2023 8:03 am  #2


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

Speaking of Ford, it seems car makers never stop trying to figure out new ways to aggravate owners. Hearing "it has no plans to use the technology," doesn't inspire much confidence. 

Ford wants to be able to shut down your air conditioner and radio if you miss a car payment—and the car could even drive away on its own

     Thread Starter
 

March 16, 2023 10:48 am  #3


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

An update on this story - and it would seem to be more than just the Mustang. According to Radio World, when Ford was asked about why they removed AM from the longtime muscle car, they responded in a way that indicates that model is just the first of many.

In a statement, the carmaker says:

“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.”

So if the band is important to you, it appears that as far as Ford is concerned, AM is not Job One. I can only hope other auto manufacturers don't follow suit. 

Ford Moves Away From AM More Emphatically

     Thread Starter
 

March 16, 2023 11:33 am  #4


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

For me 680 News is a must when I drive from the burbs to downtown.  What happens to them?  I find the station a necessity when driving in the GTA.

And don't get me started on the stop start button that kills your engine every time you stop at a light or stop sign.

Last edited by John D (March 16, 2023 11:33 am)

 

March 16, 2023 11:37 am  #5


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

If your car has an HD Radio, 680 is on 92.5-2, while the Fan is at 92.5-3, so you'd still be able to get it. 

     Thread Starter
 

March 16, 2023 11:46 am  #6


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

I can see a little more push-back in Canada than in the US. South of the border, sports radio has largely migrated to FM. And sports radio listeners have higher than average incomes and buy new cars more often. Yes, all of Canada's sports radio stations are on HD, but I'm not sure if that's a permanent solution.

As for the emergency argument, I don't buy it. If there's ever an emergency where radio is absolutely vital, the information will be on FM.

 

March 16, 2023 11:53 am  #7


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

It would be interesting if HD could be adapted to map the sub-channels to virtual frequencies so AM stations could retain their brands and ease-of-use. (As OTA TV does now)

 

March 17, 2023 7:38 am  #8


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

 

March 19, 2023 2:21 pm  #9


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

Another writer's perspective:

Is AM Radio Becoming the New Shortwave?


PJ

 


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
 

March 19, 2023 4:03 pm  #10


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

RadioAaron wrote:

I can see a little more push-back in Canada than in the US. South of the border, sports radio has largely migrated to FM. And sports radio listeners have higher than average incomes and buy new cars more often. Yes, all of Canada's sports radio stations are on HD, but I'm not sure if that's a permanent solution.

As for the emergency argument, I don't buy it. If there's ever an emergency where radio is absolutely vital, the information will be on FM.

It seems to depend on market and signal strength. 
Buffalo NY is an example of a place that once had Sports Radio on FM @ 107.7, but it failed. 
Sports radio could still go on 107.7, but current ownership won't do that. 
I think it's a signal strength issue, but I am not sure.  
(plus also enough trouble trying to figure out what to do with sister AM stations as is...)


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

April 1, 2023 9:34 pm  #11


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

I wish this were an April Fool's joke, but it seems to be the real thing - electric or gas powered notwithstanding.

Ford to drop AM radio in all new models, except commercial vehicles

     Thread Starter
 

April 2, 2023 7:37 am  #12


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

I doubt it will make much difference in the long run, but at least one Chicago AM station is fighting back against Ford's decision to drop the band from almost all of its cars. (How much advertising does the carmaker do on this all- sports station in the first place?) This Tweet is from its manager:

     Thread Starter
 

April 2, 2023 7:52 am  #13


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

Wow Ford execs must be very afraid.  Sportsbook Radio 1530 WCKG runs 190 watts (yes that’s not a typo) and is a sunrise to sunset operation. It has a small repeater on FM, but streams online, when the AM is off the air.

 

April 2, 2023 8:08 am  #14


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

Yep. And then there's the other question - if Ford knew their cars didn't have AM radios, why would they want to advertise on an AM radio station where no one could hear it?

     Thread Starter
 

April 2, 2023 8:37 am  #15


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

RadioActive wrote:

Yep. And then there's the other question - if Ford knew their cars didn't have AM radios, why would they want to advertise on an AM radio station where no one could hear it?

Then again, if you have a Ford car that doesn't have AM radio, they don't really need to advertise to you anyway. 


PJ


 


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
 

April 2, 2023 11:54 am  #16


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

RadioActive wrote:

Yep. And then there's the other question - if Ford knew their cars didn't have AM radios, why would they want to advertise on an AM radio station where no one could hear it?

I think the ad with WCKG's Matt Dubiel was more of a promo stunt.  It looks like this station is an affiliate with the Fox Sports network. The station has some syndicated and brokered programming and nothing local.  So I wouldn't think there would be any Ford advertising that they could actually turn away.  If they had some local Ford  dealer advertising, why punish the local guys?  They had nothing to do with Ford removing AM radios from vehicles.  Corporate does what corporate does. Slapping the local dealerships could backfire on them, but I wonder if they have any in the first place.  

I agree that FM radio is just as useful in the case of an emergency.  When the power went out here for days almost 20 years ago, the go to station was Magic 106 in Guelph.  Sister station CJOY AM has poor coverage in Kitchener/Waterloo even in the daytime.  Newstalk 570 was excellent as well, but CHYM FM was even better with a larger and clearer local coverage area.  

 

April 2, 2023 3:36 pm  #17


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

 This would be a deal breaker for me.No AM radio No sale Ford.

 

April 4, 2023 6:44 pm  #18


Re: Ford To Drop AM Radio From Iconic Car - & This One's Not Electric

On a related issue, AM radio isn't dead (or at least it shouldn't be) for some people.

FCC shoots down Michigan listener’s attempt to force AM back on the air


PJ


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!