Despite the fact many say AM is dead, it appears a growing number of U.S. Congressmen and women don't agree, after a lively session where executives tried to argue against a ending bill that would force AM to be provided in all cars - including electric models.
Which lead to a manufacturers' alliance spokesman to try to shift the controversy into neutral.
Alliance President John Bozzella told the subcommittee that automakers are willing to “disclose very conspicuously” if a model does not have AM radio. “You’re not going to see a lot of those except on electric cars,” he said. Bozzella said automakers are also willing to provide hand crank AM radios as part of the standard emergency kits they sell with vehicles.
“I think AM radio is important,” Bozzella said. “I’m a big listener of AM radio and we’re not about taking it away.”
That suggestion did not go over well with the politicians debating the issue.
With AM Radio Bill Gaining Traction, Auto Industry Shifts Gears
But here's another question I haven't seen posed yet: If the U.S. decides that AM must be mandatory in cars, will that same rule apply to vehicles in Canada? With so many of them being made here, it's hard to imagine car makers turning out one model radio for the U.S., and another for Canada.