ONE THIRD OF NEW CARS WITH DIGITAL RADIO AS STANDARD

Following the Drive 2 Digital conference in November 2012 the momentum behind in-vehicle digital radio is continuing. A major milestone has been reached this week with one third of all new cars (33.3%) in Q4 2012 now having digital radio as standard, according to CAP/SMMT.
This compares with 25.5% in Q3 2012, 20.8% in Q4 2011 (a year ago) and just 7.5% in Q4 2010 (two years ago).
n Q4 2012 there was a 76% increase in the number of cars registered fitted with digital radio as standard compared with Q4 2011.
In a strong year for UK car sales, with sales up 5.3% up year on year, 8 out of the top 10 cars sold in 2012 now offer digital radio as standard or have plans to do so in 2013.
This is further evidence of the progress being made on digital radio by the vehicle industry and reflects the impact of the commitments made by major manufacturers; such as Ford, Vauxhall, VW and BMW to transition to fully digital.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: ‘Over the past two years the number of cars that being fitted with digital radio has been increasing at a tremendous rate. Eight out of the top ten most popular cars sold in the UK either now have digital radio as standard, or will do shortly, meaning more and more motorists will be able to enjoy all the benefits that digital has to offer.’
Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, said: ‘Reaching one third of new cars with digital radio as standard is a major milestone and shows real momentum from the automotive industry in the drive to digital. This is great news for motorists who want to listen to digital radio stations in their car, and good news for Government who are planning a decision on a radio switchover later in the year.’
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