Ford reverses plan, vows to keep AM radio for its electric, non-electric vehicles

Ford CEO Jim Farley announced Tuesday that the automaker is reversing its previous plan to remove AM radio from vehicles, both electric and gasoline-operated, in 2024.

Farley, in a post on his LinkedIn professional page and a tweet on Twitter, said:

"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. 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. Thanks to our product development and manufacturing teams for their quick response to make this change for our customers.”

Ford will add the AM radio option to its 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E now through a software update, Ford spokesman Alan Hall confirmed to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. In addition, Ford will not remove the AM option from its internal combustion engine vehicles in 2024 as had been decided initially.

Can you get AM radio in a Tesla?

Tesla has not offered AM radio in its vehicles for years. Forbes listed in an article on April 14 automakers, including BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen, Volvo and Tesla, as phasing out AM radio with its electric vehicles

The Free Press reported April 21 news of the change, which stirred an outcry on social media about reduced access to live traffic updates and weather reports. Broadcasters and elected officials have expressed concern about access to emergency broadcasts during crisis situations.

Then-Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Free Press in April, "We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models. A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options. Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation − the definition of AM in this case − from most new and updated models we bring to market."

Ford had never planned to change AM radio in its commercial vehicles because of long-standing contract language.

Ford wins praise on Capitol Hill

Curtis LeGeyt, president of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), told the Free Press on Tuesday the organization "commends Ford for committing to keep AM radio in their vehicles, which will keep Americans safe and informed, particularly in times of emergency. With tens of millions of listeners, AM radio continues to serve as a vital lifeline to the public and a critical source of community news and exchange of diverse ideas."

He added, "In light of Ford’s announcement, NAB urges other automakers who have removed AM radio from their vehicles to follow Ford’s lead and restore this technology in the interest of listeners and public safety."

LeGeyt praised bipartisan lawmakers who are fighting to keep AM in vehicles.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., put out a news release on Tuesday praising Ford.

Markey, as a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and coauthor of the AM for Every Vehicle Act, said, "Ford’s reversal reflects an overdue realization about the importance of AM radio, but too many automakers are still going the wrong direction.”

What car companies are getting rid of AM radio?

On May 15, U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta, R-Ohio, led 102 colleagues in sending a letter to automakers expressing concerns about the reported removal of AM radio from vehicles.

Pence mentioned in his letter concern about Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM and Mercedes-Benz, removing or planning to remove broadcast AM radio receivers from all electric vehicles.

Neither General Motors nor Stellantis has confirmed plans to change AM access in its 2024 vehicles.

"We are evaluating AM radio on future vehicles and not providing any further details at this time," GM spokesman Stuart Fowle told the Free Press in April. He confirmed no change to the statement on Tuesday.

Stellantis spokeswoman Jodi Tinson told the Free Press that its product lineup including Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram is expected to continue offering AM radio.

Check vehicle recalls here: Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, Mitsubishi recall nearly 1.3 million vehicles.

More car recalls: Volkswagen, Ferrari, Land Rover among 74,000 recalled vehicles

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Read more about Ford. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford reverses plan on AM radio for new electric, non-electric vehicles