More than half of new cars have digital radio

Digital Radio UK has revealed that 55 per cent of new cars now come with digital radio as standard in April 2014, according to CAP/SMMT, up from 37.2 per cent in April 2013 and just 3.6 per cent four years ago (April 2010).

The new April car data shows that leading vehicle manufacturers like Vauxhall and Mercedes have made significant increases to 60 per cent of their range with digital radio as standard, while the German brands BMW (100 per cent), VW (89 per cent) and Audi (88 per cent) have almost 100 per cent across the range. Market leader Ford now fits 77 per cent of new models with digital radio as standard. Most car dealers and leading car radio retailers such as Halfords can convert existing cars to digital radio.

According to Rajar Q1 2014 data, 21.4 per cent of all radio listening takes place in car. With many of this summer’s sporting and music events on digital stations including BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 6 Music, Absolute Radio, talkSPORT and Capital, drivers don’t need to miss a thing.
Welcoming the announcement, Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, says: “I am pleased to announce that we have just received confirmation that 55 per cent of new cars now come with digital radio as standard – that’s great news and excellent progress.”