In-car DAB digital overtakes analogue radio

Digital Radio UK has delved into CAP and SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) data, and found that DAB is now standard equipment on more new cars than analogue-only radio.

As of April 2014, 55% of all new cars come with DAB digital radio as standard.

On Bing: see pictures on in-car DAB digital radio

Find out how much a used car with DAB digital radio costs on Auto Trader

This figure is up from 37.2% in April 2013, and just 3.6% in April 2010. Over 440,000 new cars with standard digital radio have been registered in the UK since the start of 2014 – a rise of 62% over last year.

Leading the charge is BMW, which now has 100% fitment of DAB digital right across its range; Volkswagen and Audi are close behind, on 89% and 88%, respectively.

Ford, which makes the UK’s best-selling car (the Fiesta), has 77% digital radio as standard, while Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall are now at 60%.

This is all significant, because at some point the analogue radio signal will be switched off – although at this stage a precise date is still to be confirmed, at least partially because of the general public’s apparent reluctance to upgrade.

With 21.4% of all radio listening taking place in the car (according to Rajar Q1 data 2014), the rise on in-car digital radio could mean we’re finally approaching a “tipping point”, as Digital Radio UK puts it.

And if you own an older car, don’t let this talk of the analogue shutdown cause you any despair – aftermarket DAB digital upgrade kits are readily available for most vehicles.

Digital radio switchover coming to UK cars soon

On Bing: see pictures on in-car DAB digital radio

Find out how much a used car with DAB digital radio costs on Auto Trader

By motoringresearch.com