Ford CEO, Jim Farley, made the surprising announcement on Twitter, stating, "After recognizing the significance of AM broadcast radio in the emergency alert system, we have decided to include it on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles."
After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we've decided to include it on all 2024 @Ford & @LincolnMotorCo vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software…
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) May 23, 2023
The irony is that this century-old technology will be delivered via an over-the-air software update to current Ford EV owners without AM radio capability.
This move by Ford has received praise from various quarters. Senator Ed Markey expressed his appreciation, emphasizing the importance of AM radio in public safety. Representative Josh Gottheimer echoed the sentiment and called on other automakers, including Tesla, to follow Ford's lead and recognize the value of AM radio.
Ford's decision comes at a crucial time when AM broadcasters have been grappling with waning support from the industry. By including AM radio in their vehicles, Ford is not only catering to the preferences of millions of listeners but also demonstrating a commitment to emergency notification options.
