There would seem to be panic over the concept that auto manufacturers are going to remove AM radios from their new cars. It would seem to some that it would be panic to talk radio. I guess I can see their point. There are some benefits to AM radio in modern society. However, it’s not that bad as it looks.

When I was a young man (mid 1960s), I had an AM/FM radio that neatly fit in my shirt pocket. And, guess what? It wasn’t all that expensive. It ran on a couple of double A batteries and for its size, it sounded good, especially with an earphone. I am sure they could build something like that today. It would be quite easy to make it so it could have Bluetooth or a USB connection. Or, of course, it could simply plug into a large powered speaker.

The folks that want AM would still have AM. They wouldn’t let the lack of AM in their car get in their way. On the other hand, it seems to me that the auto manufacturers wouldn’t gain that much by discontinuing the AM. Eventually, people will discover they don’t need the entertainment centers at all. My guess is that Auto dealers make a bunch of money off those things. If People say, we don’t want it, they don’t make a dime. A person can go down to the neighborhood auto radio installer and put one in that does have AM as well as a few other bells and whistles.

Actually, putting those AM radios in a car probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10-15. Do they really want to risk the loss of customers and or sale of options for the savings of so little. Maybe. I don’t know. Whoever makes the decision just might be a dem. They don’t mind losing money, as long as it isn’t theirs.

As an aside. I sort of wish I had that old radio. It was a Zenith. They just don’t seem to make them like that anymore. It’s a shame.