The Battle Over AM Radio in New Cars: Automakers vs. Lawmakers
Automakers such as BMW, Volkswagen, Mazda, and Tesla are removing AM radios from new electric vehicles because electric engines can interfere with the sound of AM stations. Ford is taking a bigger step, eliminating AM from all of its vehicles, electric or gas-operated. Although 82 million Americans still listen to AM stations each month, the AM audience has been aging for decades. Many AM stations don't offer alternative ways to listen to their shows. Despite protests from station owners, listeners, first-responders, and politicians from both major parties, the automakers are eliminating AM due to the growth of alternative forms of in-car audio.