[opendtv] Ford is first US automaker to offer HD Radio
- From: Albert Manfredi <bert22306@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 18:10:24 -0400
As of 26 September, they say. This is what I was hoping automakers would do.
Which is, allow people to order HD Radio as an option in new cars, but also
make the factory radio with digital reception available on older models.
There's so much integrated into the radio display on many newer cars these days
that it becomes difficult to make an aftermarket radio do all that was done
with the original. Hopefully, Ford will have shamed the rest of them to follow
suit.
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6482856.html
says that BMW (they were the first, as far as I could tell), Mini, Jaguar, and
Hyundai are now also offering HD Radio as an option. (Mini is BMW, and Jaguar
is Ford.)
I read somewhere that there were also one or two Japanese auto makers that
offer HD Radio as an option, but a brief search didn't find them.
Bert
--------------------------------------------
http://www.hdradio.com/the_buzz.php?thebuzz=232
Ford to Make HD Digital Radio Available Across Nearly All Product Lines
Dealer-installed option available nationwide on nearly every 2008 model year
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle
HD Digital Radio(tm) can be installed on most currently-owned vehicles built in
model years 2005, 2006 and 2007
Ford's high-definition radio strategy builds on company's effort to be among
the industry's leaders in delivering new automotive entertainment technologies
DEARBORN, Mich., Sept., 26, 2007 - Ford Motor Co. today became the first
automaker to offer HD Digital Radio across multiple product lines. The
dealer-installed high-definition radio option is now available nationwide on
nearly all 2008 model year Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Additionally, HD
Digital Radio can be installed on many earlier models from 2005, 2006 and 2007.
As with SYNC, the extensive availability of HD Digital Radio furthers the
company's ongoing efforts to deliver new entertainment technologies to
automotive consumers.
"We believe HD Digital Radio will be an important part of Ford's commitment to
delivering innovations with mass appeal," said Kim Irwin, Vehicle
Personalization and Accessories manager for Ford's Customer Service Division.
"We're helping our customers stay connected by supporting the features and
functions they want in their vehicles. The dramatically improved audio, text
and data features of HD Digital Radio - along with its hundreds of new radio
stations - create a compelling combination at the right price."
HD Digital Radio dramatically increases the sound quality of radio broadcasts
and enables more than one radio broadcast on a single channel. As a result,
consumers hear a wide range of new HD2 multicast stations as well as their
favorite radio stations in crystal clear digital sound with no monthly
subscription fee. More than 1500 radio stations in the U.S. currently broadcast
in HD digital sound, with more than 600 stations also airing HD2 multicasts.
HD Radio joins other new technologies - including SYNC - being offered in Ford,
Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to make driving more enjoyable and convenient than
ever before. Beginning immediately, HD Digital Radio will be available as a
dealer-installed option on new, pre-owned and currently-owned vehicles. Price
points will vary by dealership but, as always, HD Radio broadcasts carry no
monthly subscription fee.
"Drivers have always had a love affair with their car radios," added Irwin. "HD
Radio offers our dealers a triple threat: It differentiates their offerings
from other brands; it lets them upgrade customer entertainment systems in a
unique way; and it lets buyers of recent pre-owned vehicles as well as current
vehicle owners share completely in the benefits. This is the kind of program
that our dealers love to see."
To support the launch, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers will benefit from an
aggressive, multi-million-dollar, 13-week, on-air radio marketing campaign in
partnership with the HD Digital Radio Alliance. The commercials will air in 100
markets over some 700 radio stations beginning on September 26, 2007.
"In all of our discussions with auto makers, Ford has consistently demonstrated
both the will and the resolve to be industry leaders in this arena," said Peter
Ferrara, president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "Now that HD Radio
is broadcasting across hundreds of local stations nationwide, partners who move
early will gain the biggest advantage."
The HD Digital Radio Alliance is a joint initiative of leading radio
broadcasters to accelerate the successful rollout of HD Digital Radio. Current
members include major radio groups and independent station owners: Beasley
Broadcast Group, Bonneville International, CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting /
ABC Radio, Clear Channel Radio, Emmis Communications, Entercom, Greater Media
and WBEB Philadelphia. For more information on HD Digital Radio, visit
www.hdradio.com.
_________________________________________________________________
Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Café. Stop by
today.
http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLtagline
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.
Other related posts:
- » [opendtv] Ford is first US automaker to offer HD Radio
