Major Carmakers Proceed to HD Radio Adoption

HD Radio Technology tends to become a must-have technology in most cars nowadays and auto manufacturers around the world are gradually adopting this kind of service. iBiquity today announced that seven major companies extended their commitments to HD radio with multiple launches, all of them presented at the 2010 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

"The auto industry is accelerating its commitment to HD Radio Technology," said Bob Struble, iBiquity Digital President and CEO. "HD Radio Technology is now a core element of the entertainment package offered by leading automakers. Our technology provides a digital pipeline to the consumer, with crystal-clear audio, more content choices and new services such as iTunes Tagging, Real Time Traffic, Journaline and other information."

Ford, Lincoln, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Scion and Volvo have all decided to offer HD radio in their vehicles. Ford will thus offer the service in the 2011 Mustang and Super Duty, while Lincoln will include it as a factory-installed option on the MKX. BMW will make it standard equipment on the whole 2011 model year 5 Series, Hyundai will bring it on Equus, Scion will offer it through the newly-presented iQ and tC and Volvo will install the receivers on the new S60.

Additionally, several other carmakers have already confirmed that HD radio will become either a standard or an optional feature in the models to come. Among them, it's worth mentioning the names of Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes, Mercury, MINI USA, Rolls Royce and Volkswagen.