(WWJ) – Ford has reversed course on its decision to remove AM radio from new electric vehicles in what was an attempt to cut costs.
Ford CEO Jim Farley on Tuesday announced via Twitter the company has now decided to include AM radio on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
The decision comes after speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as part of the emergency alert system.
“AM radio requires extra shielding in electric vehicles, so Ford was taking that out as a cost-saving measure and was doing it with other vehicles as well,” WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert said.
Other American brands, as well as Japanese and Korean automakers, still have AM radio in their EVs. Europeans do not, according to Gilbert.
It’s not known how many vehicles without AM Ford has actually sold, but for any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, there will eventually be a software update.
“Customers can currently listen to AM radio content in a variety of ways in our vehicles – including via streaming – and we will continue to innovate to deliver even better in-vehicle entertainment and emergency notification options in the future,” Farley said on Twitter.
Back in February a group of former emergency management officials sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warning of the dangers of removing AM. Specifically, in cases of natural disasters, weather emergencies or other catastrophes, officials say AM radio can be the last line of communication.
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