2024 Ford Mustang could miss out on AM Radio

AM radio's audience size is fast reducing in Europe while accounting for only a small minority in the USA.

According to reports, Ford will be discontinuing AM Radio on its 2024 Mustang. The seventh-generation iteration of the muscle car will be the second product from the brand to lose AM radio, having already discontinued the feature on the 2023 F-150 Lightning.

A spokesperson from Ford also confirmed the same, stating that "global automakers are modernising radio by offering streaming via mobile apps, FM or digital.

Reports state that AM radio's audience size is fast reducing in Europe while accounting for only a small minority in the USA. This, combined with the fact that automakers are looking to cut down vehicle costs, are some of the reasons why brands are removing the feature.

Having said that, both current & former US emergency officials have reportedly written a letter to the Secretary of Transportation advising action against the disappearance of AM Radio on new cars. AM Radio travels further and is significantly less expensive to operate than its equivalent FM station, meaning it can be reliably found even in remote areas.

Ed Markey, Massachusetts Senator, stated, "AM Radio is the most dependable, cost-free and accessible mechanism for officials to communicate with the public in times of an emergency". Officials believe that the disappearance of AM Radio on new cars will compromise their ability to reach citizens during such times.

Source: TheDrive