Car-makers and drivers tuning into digital radio

A NEW report has revealed nearly 100,000 vehicles with digital radios have been sold in the past three years in Australia with twice as many car-makers in 2014 now offer the technology compared with last year.

Results of the 2014 Digital Radio Report, compiled by national industry body Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) show that the number of vehicle brands offering Digital Audio Broadcasting Plus (DAB+) has doubled from eight in 2013 to 16 this year, while 97,177 vehicles with DAB+ have been sold since the arrival of the technology.

In 2011, BMW became the first manufacturer to offer DAB+ adding the technology to the options list of its 5 and 7 Series cars. The report shows that during that year, 1698 cars with DAB+ were sold, which jumped to 15,203 in 2012, then 38,037 in 2013 and so far this year 42,239 cars with DAB+ have been sold.

Today the vehicle manufacturers which offer DAB+ in Australia include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ford, Fuso Trucks, Hino, Infiniti, Isuzu Trucks, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nissan, Porsche and Toyota.

The number is set to rise as well, with 26 car-makers internationally incorporating the technology in their vehicles. Commercial Radio Australia chief executive officer Joan Warner said the figures showed the public was embracing DAB+, with the support of the automotive industry.

“Five years on Australians are embracing digital radio,” Ms Warner said.

“Listening to live, local radio in the car is important to our listeners and the number of vehicles sold with a DAB+ digital radio is an outstanding result, showing great support from the automotive industry in Australia.” In-car DAB+ listening, according to the report has more than doubled, up from 4.9 percent in 2011 to 10.8 percent in 2014.

Commercial Radio Australia has embarked on a national campaign to raise awareness and promote DAB+ with billboard and bus-side advertising.

The 2014 Digital Radio Report surveyed people living in Australia’s five major metropolitan cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Market research was carried out by GfK and the Hoop Group with statistical analysis by PricewaterhouseCoopers.