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More Automakers Are Cutting Radios and CD Players

(Credit: © BMW)

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More Automakers Are Cutting Radios and CD Players

2014 BMW i3

2014 BMW i3 (Credit: © BMW)

Technology in cars is shifting dramatically, as anyone who watches the market knows. One trend that many people might not be aware of until they start shopping for a new ride is that many automakers are cutting AM/FM radio and CD players from certain models. In their stead, smart phones with music already loaded on them are the new wave, along with smart phone streaming music apps like Pandora and Spotify.

For example, the all-electric and brand-new BMW i3 does not come with an AM radio function or a CD player. Apparently, the German automaker feels that its customers don’t want to listen to much talk radio. The truly interesting part is that to included AM radio would not have added much, if anything, to the weight or complexity of the vehicle, yet it would also have appeased customers who enjoy listening to sports talk radio while going for a weekend drive.

According to representatives from BMW, the reason for the exclusion of the AM band is the fact that the i3’s engine creates interference for the signal, making it an impractical feature.

While pandering to younger car buyers, some automakers are also dumping CD players from the standard equipment and even optional features list. Among the CD player-free models today are the Kia Soul and the Chevrolet Spark and Sonic. As anyone who lives near a large population of elderly people can attest, many models that automakers aim at young car shoppers actually are scooped up en-masse by older drivers, which might present a problem if those drivers want to listen to a CD.

The real question is whether granny will upload her Kenny G CD to iTunes and then import it to her iPhone, allowing her to play those favorite tunes will cruising around town. If the current trends continue, she likely will have to learn to adapt. The decline in CD players included on new cars has dropped by double digits recently, spelling almost certain doom for the technology. Soon, CDs will join the ranks of eight tracks and cassettes, which once were popular in cars but have since dwindled.

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