There are now over 1000 registered Digital Radio Tick Mark installers at car retailers and dealerships across the UK.
The news was announced by Digital Radio UK today at the World DAB Drive to Digital conference in Brussels.
Speaking at the conference, Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said the 1000 installers are the first to have completed a training and accreditation programme verifying their ability to fit digital radio in vehicles and qualifying them to use the Digital Radio Tick Mark when promoting their services as fitters of in-vehicle digital radios and adapters.
Supported by Government, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and the automotive industry, the Digital Radio Installer Tick Mark was introduced in June 2014 to provide consumers with greater assurance when choosing an installer to fit a DAB digital radio into their vehicle. The accreditation scheme for aftermarket retail installers is managed by the professional association for the sector, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).
The first 1000 registered installers are comprised of fitters at Halfords stores, independent retailers, Vauxhall dealerships and Volkswagen dealerships, with many more to follow. Halfords are committed to ensuring a registered Tick Mark installer is available in all of their 470 stores.
Digital Radio UK has launched a Digital Radio Installer Tick Mark Store Finder to allow drivers to find their nearest registered Digital Radio Tick Mark installer. The Store Finder will feature in the digital radio Summer communications campaign voiced by motoring broadcaster Suzi Perry, highlighting the availability of digital radios and adapters, and directing drivers to the website to find a registered Tick Mark installer near them.
Over 33 million drivers listen to radio in their vehicles but only 20% of listening in vehicles is to digital, as compared to 49.3% at home.
Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said: “Reaching a thousand registered installers is a terrific milestone. With the majority of new cars now coming with digital radio as standard, our priority is to let drivers know that it is simple to convert their current vehicle to digital radio, and ensure that the help they need to enjoy the benefits of digital radio on the road is at hand.”
