WC Wisconsin News

WASHINGTON, DC – In case you missed it, yesterday Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-3) signed a letter alongside Reps. Bob Latta (OH-5), Greg Pence (IN-6), and 100 bipartisan legislators urging automakers to keep AM radio in new vehicles.

AM radio is a crucial form of communication in rural communities. As the letter notes, “Over 75 radio stations, most of which operate on the AM band and cover at least 90% of the U.S. population, are equipped with backup communications equipment and generators that allow them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an emergency. Most importantly, AM radio is free to all Americans, not requiring a subscription or a broadband connection.”

Read the letter here, or read more from Fox Business below:

GOP reps urge Ford, Tesla and other automakers to keep 'life-saving' AM radio in new models

Madeline Coggins

Fox Business

May 15, 2023

A group of bipartisan lawmakers is calling on the nation's leading car manufacturers to "maintain" AM radio receivers in vehicles over safety concerns. 

Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, and Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., sent a letter with 100 signatures to Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM, and Mercedes-Benz on Monday. The letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, outlined issues with the push to pull AM radio from new car models. 

"With reports that automakers are planning to remove or already removing broadcast AM radio receivers from current or future vehicles, we are simply requesting they provide clear and direct answers to our questions regarding these reports and urge they maintain AM radio receivers in all vehicles to prioritize consumer and public safety," he added.

[...]

Automakers like Tesla, BMW and Ford are opting to cut AM radio from new models, particularly electric vehicles, due to the added expense and added weight of the radios. In addition, the manufacturers claim there are now a variety of ways information is accessible. 

[...]

"Over 75 radio stations, most of which operate on the AM band and cover at least 90% of the U.S. population, are equipped with backup communications equipment and generators that allow them to continue broadcasting information to the public during and after an emergency. Most importantly, AM radio is free to all Americans, not requiring a subscription or a broadband connection," the letter also says.

Issues: Agriculture

Original source can be found here.