“On Friday afternoon, Sens. Markey and Cruz sent letters to seven automakers that have either removed or announced plans to remove AM radio from their current and future car models. This letter was sent after Ford reversed course last month, with Ford CEO Jim Farley announcing:
“‘After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we've decided to include it on all 2024 Ford & Lincoln vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software update.’
“Sens. Cruz and Markey wrote to BMW, Tesla, Mazda, Volkswagen, Polestar, Volvo and Rivian. The letters read, in part:
“‘As you may be aware, Ford announced last month that it would maintain AM radio on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Amid the public outcry over some automakers removing AM radio from electric vehicles, Ford’s decision is a welcome, albeit incomplete, development. As the lead authors of the AM for Every Vehicle Act, we ask that you follow Ford’s lead and make a similar commitment to maintain broadcast AM radio in your company’s current and future vehicle models, including electric vehicles (EVs).
“‘AM radio plays a critical role in the lives of millions of Americans who rely on it for local news, weather alerts, sports, music, and entertainment. It is also a prominent platform for talk radio, which is a home for a variety of viewpoints and diverse audiences, including Hispanic, Black, and other minority communities. AM radio also serves a unique role in rural and agricultural areas. In some parts of the country, especially those without broadband connectivity, AM radio is one of the public’s only choices to stay informed.
“‘Additionally, AM radio is a vital means of emergency communication...With forty percent of listeners tuning in from their cars, maintaining access to AM radio in vehicles is essential to ensure safety alerts can reach the public[...]
“‘Preserving AM radio not only aligns with the growing recognition of its significance but also demonstrates a commitment to public safety and meeting consumer expectations. We request that you respond to this letter with a commitment to keep AM radio in all your new vehicles.’
“As you may recall, Sens. Markey and Cruz are the bill authors of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a standard for all new motor vehicles in the U.S. to come with AM radio reception and playback 12 months after the bill becomes law. This feature would be clearly visible on the vehicle's dashboard. Between the legislation's enactment and the new standard taking effect, cars lacking AM radio receivers must be explicitly labeled for buyers.”
