mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Ford To Offer AM Radio In Its Vehicles After All

GM rival Ford has decided to include AM radio in all of its 2024 vehicle models in both its Ford and Lincoln lineups, according to a tweet from Blue Oval CEO Jim Farley.

Ford chose to include standard AM radio to give drivers easy access to the emergency alert system, which broadcasts important warnings on the AM frequency.

Rear three quarters view of the 2024 Ford Mustang.

Ford also plans to offer a software update for owners of Ford EVs lacking AM broadcast capability, Farley noted. The update will make it easier for Ford owners to listen to AM broadcasts, including various types of emergency alerts. Ford drivers can currently use streaming and other methods to access AM content.

Farley also praised the speed with which Ford engineers and “manufacturing teams” made the necessary changes to include AM radio in Ford and Lincoln vehicles for the 2024 model year.

The move reverses an April 2023 decision by Ford to drop AM radio functionality across most of its 2024 lineup, with the exception of commercial vehicles. The automaker cited AM radio interference with electric vehicle function as the reason for the change, along with availability of new streaming technology to access AM stations.

Front three quarters view of the 2024 Ford Ranger XLT.

GM has no current plans to omit AM radio from its vehicles, whether they are EVs or motivated by internal combustion. GM Authority learned this from a GM representative who also stated they could not comment on the availability of AM radio in future vehicles.

The about-face of Ford on inclusion of AM radio in its vehicles raises the possibility GM could decide to reverse course on a recent decision of its own. In late March 2023, Reuters reported The General plans to eliminate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring from its EV lineup, replacing them with a new Google-based infotainment system.

Under this plan, the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV will be the first GM vehicle to omit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration going forward. GM vice president of software Scott Miller defended the automaker’s choice in a mid-April interview. He stated GM is “very comfortable with our decision,” adding, “we are going to evolve and learn, and I think we are going to be in good shape here.”

Apple CarPlay in a GM vehicle.

Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will continue to be offered on ICE vehicles produced by The General. However, the alteration of Ford plans shows a possibility remains GM could change its mind on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto inclusion in its future EVs, especially in light of the strong criticism it has received for the features’ removal.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM competition news, GM electric vehicle news, GM technology news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. Really ? Does anyone really care about AM radio any more? Who? I haven’t tuned into an AM station in more than 10 years. I don’t even know if my current car has AM.

    People are pushing the manufacturers for huge screens, CarPlay/Android Auto, all kinds of connected stuff, hot spots and WiFi, etc. We have satellite radio, podcasts, etc. And we can no longer buy a vehicle (that I know of) with a CD player, leaving my 40 + CD as useless. And there are people still wanting AM?

    Reply
    1. It’s harder for auto makers to justify charging a subscription service for AM. I suspect that’s one of the reasons for removing it.

      Reply
      1. Who pays for am radio? It’s free! Who pays for radio at all, it’s free?

        Reply
    2. what a pitty, conitnue to think like this you poor thing with your lack of open mind! Another brainwashed mind…

      Reply
  2. v

    Reply
  3. Honestly, FM should probably be phased out as well. There’s more commercials than content these days. As far as the ability to receive emergency alerts goes, anyone who has a car, most likely has a cellphone and will receive alerts on their phone. I would not miss AM or FM in a new car purchase. Would be nice though to still have that CD player. Ya, I’m old!

    Reply
    1. Yes, I’d like a CD player too.

      Reply
  4. Duh! That’s where Civil Defense news lives and my favorite conservative talk radio!

    Reply
  5. First they said there was in interference issue with electric motors\, not it only requires a software update?

    Did they change the laws of physics?

    Reply
  6. When we travel we listen to satellite radio, FM radio and our CDs, as our favorite satellite radio stations seem to play the same songs over and over and over …….

    Reply
  7. I’m so old, I remember when any radio was an option, period! And an AM/FM was an even more costly option. AM radio was the only way to get popular music and FM radio was usually classical or “hi-brow” music. Now AM radio appears to be all talk.
    Interesting that those vehicles where AM function was removed that now it can be added with just a programming change…
    So why take it out in the first place? Yes, probably charge/pay monthly to subscribe…
    Not for me, thank you.

    Reply
    1. Yes, me too I had a 72 F-100 pickup with no radio. It came from the factory with a white plastic plate covering the spot in the dash where the radio would have been. It said FORD on it. That’s when dashboards and door panels were still painted steel and the gas tank was behind the seat. Manual brakes, manual transmission, manual steering, and no AC. A very simple machine.

      Reply
  8. My favorite source is a digital FM channel of a local FM station, and it’s not the same programing as the regular FM station. After that, I use XM, then CDs. I had to add CD as an option on my ’17, when it was standard on my previous 3 cars. The CD has the best sound, followed by the digital FM, then satellite, then broadcast FM. The digital FM is great but drops out about 30 miles outside of downtown.

    There may be some rural areas where ONLY AM is available, so it should still be included for those rare instances. I do wish more cars still offered CD players. Most MP3s don’t really cut it sound-wise, and high-resolution streaming isn’t necessarily an option while driving, either.

    Reply
  9. Great Job GM of keeping your customers happy…..NOT!!! Should you decide to drop Apple Car Play in your future vehicles, this GM guy with 4 of your brand names in my family will DEFINITELY be going to FORD. Count on that!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel