Auto Industry Lobbies Against Bill for AM Radio
Alliance for Automotive Innovation says other technologies suffice for public emergency alerts.

Many automakers have eliminated AM in their electric-vehicle lineups because it can cause interference in EVs, though some have also removed it from gas-powered models.
IMAGE: Pexels/Ron Lach
Automakers are resisting efforts to keep AM radio in new models, an industry group telling a congressional committee Tuesday that it’s unnecessary, the Detroit News reported.
A representative of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee in a hearing on a bill that would require AM radio as standard in new vehicles that other technology suffices when it comes to emergency alerts to the public.
The bipartisan bill would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule making AM a required feature in newly produced vehicles at no extra cost to consumers.
Alliance Vice President for Safety Policy Scott Schmidt told the subcommittee that the existing federal Integrated Public Alert and Warning System can issue emergency alerts, the Detroit News report said. Schmidt said the system could be updated and that AM’s audience is in decline.
Schmidt said the auto industry is committed to making public emergency alerts available to vehicle occupants for free, regardless of the technology, and that mandating AM could stifle innovation, the paper reported.
Ford recently reversed a decision to eliminate AM from its new noncommercial models after CEO Jim Farley discussed the issue with government policy leaders.
Many automakers have eliminated AM in their electric-vehicle lineups because it can cause interference in EVs, though some have also removed it from gas-powered models.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →