FoMoCo caused quite the stir when it decided to ditch AM radio functionality in the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning and 2024 Ford Mustang, and later announced that it would be following suit in most all of its models, save for commercial vehicles – in both the U.S. and Canada. This move not only drew the ire of customers that still use and enjoy AM radio, but also a host of lawmakers concerned that its removal might impact emergency broadcast situations, prompting some to introduce a bill requiring automakers to retain this functionality. Last May, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced that the automaker would be retaining AM radio in its 2024 model year vehicles after all, and now, 2023 model year Ford EVs are getting that functionality back as well, according to Inside Radio.
“The software update has started to be deployed to those vehicles to configure AM Radio back on and available for customer usage,” said Alan Hall, Ford’s Director of Technology Communications. “The deployment is ongoing, and customers may receive the update at different times.”
Ford and some of its rivals previously argued that AM radio – or amplitude modulation, as it’s otherwise defined – is no longer needed thanks to the fact that users can still listen to AM music, news, and podcasts via internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital, and satellite radio options, but critics worry that its removal could pose a significant communication problem during emergencies, which prompted this pushback in the first place.
Regardless, 2023 model year Ford EVs – specifically, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Ford F-150 Lightning – are already beginning to receive this over-the-air update, which will continue to be rolled out in stages over the coming weeks. Notably, however, the automaker isn’t committing to offering this functionality in the future – at least not yet. “As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on future product plans, and will remain focused on listening to and responding to our customers’ feedback to balance the transition to new technologies,” Hall said.
We’ll have more on the future of AM radio soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
As a emergency communication device that is available to all for free I agree it should remain accessible.
Glad to hear it. The AM radio is important to have for emergency and other communications.
How about an ota that makes it possible to remove speed limiter and give me 100% power so the Teslas quit kicking my a** at the drag strip. Its the least a company can do, for an owner who has lost 50% of its purchase price in 4 months. Thank you