Ford dropping longtime feature from most new vehicles in 2024

Published

2 years ago

April 6, 2023

admin

close video Ford’s Model e business will turn a profit faster than Tesla: CEO Jim Farley

Ford CEO Jim Farley discusses the automaker’s EV ambitions forecasting profitability for its Model e segment by 2026 on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

Ford Motor Co. is preparing to remove AM radio in most of its "new and updated 2024 models," a report says, despite concerns from U.S. officials over Americans losing access to safety alerts broadcast over the airwaves.

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood confirmed the development in a statement to the Detroit Free Press.

"We are transitioning from AM radio for most new and updated 2024 models," he said. "A majority of U.S. AM stations, as well as a number of countries and automakers globally, are modernizing radio by offering internet streaming through mobile apps, FM, digital and satellite radio options.

"Ford will continue to offer these alternatives for customers to hear their favorite AM radio music, news and podcasts as we remove amplitude modulation — the definition of AM in this case – from most new and updated models we bring to market," he added, noting that commercial vehicles will still retain AM radio features because of contract language.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES NEED AM RADIO, FORMER EMERGENCY OFFICIALS ARGUE

A Ford Bronco on display at the Brussels Expo on Jan. 13, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. Ford says it will remove AM radio from most of its new vehicles starting with the 2024 models. (Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images / Getty Images)

FOX Business has reached out to Ford for further comment.

Last year, Ford said it was going to remove AM radio from its 2023 model year F-150 Lightning electric trucks as "the frequencies involved in AM radio tend to be directly affected by the electromagnetic noise in EV propulsion systems," according to The Wall Street Journal.Ticker Security Last Change Change % F FORD MOTOR CO. 12.43 -0.29 -2.28%

The newspaper reported in late February that seven former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrators wrote to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a few congressional committees asking for the U.S. government to seek assurances from automakers that AM radio will remain a feature in vehicles, as it can deliver alerts from FEMA during natural disasters and extreme weather events.

"When all else fails, radio stations are often the last line of communications that communities have," Craig Fugate, the leader of FEMA during the Obama administration, told The Wall Street Journal.

FORD INVESTING IN $4.5 BILLION INDONESIA NICKEL PLANT TO SUPPLY KENTUCKY-BUILT BATTERIES

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning truck is shown after winning the NACTOY 2023 North American Truck of The Year Award at the 2023 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards on Jan. 11, 2023 in Pontiac, Michigan. This model F-150 do (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, penned a letter to 20 EV manufacturers in December 2022 asking about the future of AM radio in their vehicles.

"Of the 20 companies, eight — BMW, Ford, Mazda, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo – have removed broadcast AM radio from their electric vehicles," his office said in March, adding that Mercedes-Benz and General Motors refused to provide individual responses. "Ten automakers – Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Lucid, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Stellantis, Subaru, and Toyota – still maintain access to broadcast AM radio in their vehicles."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

Ford says AM radio will remain in commercial vehicles due to existing contracts. ((AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) / AP Newsroom)

Markey said "Broadcast AM radio is an essential part of our emergency alert infrastructure, but the responses to my letter show that far too many automakers are ignoring the critical safety benefits of AM radio.

"Although many automakers suggested that other communication tools — such as internet radio — could replace broadcast AM radio, in an emergency, drivers might not have access to the internet and could miss critical safety information," he continued. "The truth is that broadcast AM radio is irreplaceable. As the auto industry rightfully replaces the internal combustion engine with electric batteries, I will continue to work to ensure that automakers maintain access to broadcast AM radio in all their vehicles."

Sports

Mets sit banged up McNeil, Nimmo vs. Nationals

Published

58 mins ago

August 21, 2025

admin

Mets sit banged up McNeil, Nimmo vs. Nationals

Associated Press

Aug 21, 2025, 03:26 PM ET

WASHINGTON — Jeff McNeil has a sore right shoulder, the latest nagging injury for the New York Mets as they try to recover from a late-summer swoon.

McNeil was out of the lineup for Thursday’s series finale at Washington, with Brett Baty starting at second base. One of the Mets’ most consistent hitters, McNeil went 4 for 8 with a homer, two doubles and five RBI in the previous two games against the Nationals.

“It doesn’t bother him to swing the bat. It’s just more the throwing,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.

The shoulder problem began late last week, Mendoza said, which is why McNeil started at designated hitter on Saturday and Sunday.

Brandon Nimmo was also out of the lineup Thursday with the stiff neck that forced him to leave Wednesday night’s game in the second inning. Tyrone Taylor started in left field.

“We didn’t see much improvement overnight,” Mendoza said of Nimmo.

McNeil has experience in left, but the shoulder problem means he’s not an option there for now.

New York’s series at Washington began Tuesday with the news that catcher Francisco Alvarez has a sprained ligament in his right thumb that will require surgery. Alvarez is hoping he can play through the pain after a stint on the injured list.

Backup catcher Luis Torrens had a rough night Wednesday that included getting hit in his receiving hand by a bat on a catcher’s interference play, but Mendoza said Thursday that Torrens was “fine.”

The Mets had a three-game winning streak before Wednesday night’s loss, but the team with the biggest payroll in the majors is just 5-15 since July 28. New York entered Thursday trailing Philadelphia by 6 1/2 games in the NL East and was one game ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild-card spot.

Science

Rice University Scientists Confirm Flatband Discovery in Kagome Superconductor

Published

58 mins ago

August 21, 2025

admin

flatband states in CsCr₃Sb₅, a kagome superconductor. This experimental validation connects lattice geometry with emergent superconductivity, opening new pathways for engineered quantum materials, superconductors, and advanced electronics.

World

Israel maintains pressure on Gaza City as ‘first stages of attack begin’

Published

58 mins ago

August 21, 2025

admin

Israel maintains pressure on Gaza City as 'first stages of attack begin'

Gaza City residents say Israel carried out intense overnight bombardments as it prepares a controversial offensive to take control of the area.

Sixty-thousand reservists are being called up after Benjamin Netanyahu‘s security cabinet approved the plan earlier this month.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has warned of more “death and destruction” if Israel tries to seize the city, while France’s Emmanuel Macron said it would be a “disaster” that would lead to “permanent war”.

Live – UN warns of ‘forcible transfer’ as forces advance on Gaza City

Hundreds of thousands of people could end up being forcibly displaced – a potential war crime, according to the UN’s human rights office.

Gaza’s health ministry said at least 70 people had been killed in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, including eight people in a house in the Sabra suburb of Gaza City.

Israel currently controls about 75% of the Gaza Strip, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has said Israel must take Gaza City to “finish the job” and defeat Hamas.

Mr Netanyahu and his ministers are due to meet on Thursday to discuss the plans, according to Israeli media.

Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said earlier that “preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack” had begun – with troops operating on the outskirts of Gaza City.

Israel has said it will order evacuation notices before troops move in but satellite images show thousands of people have already left.

Residents said shelling has intensified in the Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods and that those fleeing have gone to coastal shelters or to central and southern parts of the Strip.

The decision to stay or leave is an agonising choice for many.

“We are facing a bitter-bitter situation, to die at home or leave and die somewhere else, as long as this war continues, survival is uncertain,” said father of seven Rabah Abu Elias.

“In the news, they speak about a possible truce, on the ground, we only hear explosions and see deaths. To leave Gaza City or not isn’t an easy decision to make,”

Most of the Israeli reservists being summoned are not expected to be in a frontline combat role and the call-up is set to take a while.

The window could give mediators more time to convince Israel to accept a temporary ceasefire.

Hamas has already agreed to the proposal – envisaging 10 living hostages and 18 bodies being released in return for a 60-day truce and the freedom of about 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel hasn’t officially responded, but insists it wants all 50 remaining hostages released at once. Only 20 of them are still believed to be alive.

The war started nearly two years ago when a Hamas terror attack killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped around 250.

More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The figure doesn’t break down how many were Hamas members, but it says women and children make up more than half.

Two more people also died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, the ministry said on Thursday, taking the total to 271, including 112 children.

COGAT, the body controlling aid into Gaza, said 250 aid trucks entered on Wednesday, with 154 pallets air-dropped.