One third of new cars now come with DAB

New data about in-car digital radio shows 33.3% of all new cars have DAB digital radio installed as standard, up from 21% last year.

The information, according to CAP/SMMT, compares with 25.5% in quarter 3 2012, 20.8% in quarter 4 2011 and just 7.5% in two years ago.

In the last quarter of last year there was a 76% increase in the number of cars registered fitted with digital radio as standard compared with Q4 2011.

Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Over the past two years the number of cars that being fitted with digital radio has been increasing at a tremendous rate. 8 out of the top 10 most popular cars sold in the UK either now have digital radio as standard, or will do shortly, meaning more and more motorists will be able to enjoy all the benefits that digital has to offer.”

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says: “Reaching one third of new cars with digital radio as standard is a major milestone and shows real momentum from the automotive industry in the drive to digital. This is great news for motorists who want to listen to digital radio stations in their car, and good news for Government who are planning a decision on a radio switchover later in the year.”