Over 400,000 cars registered last month had digital radio fitted as standard, and almost 600,000 in quarter 1 of 2016.
This was 26% more than Q1 2015 and 18% more than the previous highest month (September 2015). The percentage of cars with digital radio in Q1 2016 was 77.2%, an increase from last year (64.2%) but slightly decreased from Q4 2015 (80%).
In the year 2015 almost 1.9 million new cars were registered with digital radio as standard and it is projected that in 2016 over 2.2 million cars will be sold with digital radio as standard. All new cars in the UK fitted with DAB are also DAB+ compatible which will enable reception of stations such as Jazz FM, Fun Kids and Magic Chilled – and with more expected to come.
The Minister of Culture and the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey welcomed the announcement of the Q1 2016 new car data: “March 2016 was a record month for digital radio in new cars with over 400,00 new cars sold with DAB as standard. This is great news for drivers as it means that many more people will be able to listen to the full range of national and local digital radio stations in their car.”
Ford Ennals , CEO of Digital said: “As the UK new market grows so does the number of cars on the road with digital radio. The Q1 2016 new car data confirms the level of support digital radio has from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and vehicle manufacturers.
“To have almost 80% of new cars with digital radio as standard and over 400,000 new cars fitted with digital radio in a single month is remarkable progress and great news for national and local stations on DAB across the UK.”
