Why Do Car Manufacturers Remove Car Radios?
Currently, car manufacturers are engaged in intense competition, especially among domestic carmakers, who are often locked in price wars. From the perspective of automobile users, this is not necessarily a positive trend. Car manufacturers need to make a profit, and to achieve this, they significantly cut prices, which inevitably leads to cost-saving measures in certain car features and materials. For example, parts that were previously made from metal are now replaced with plastic.
One of the features that carmakers have eliminated is the car radio. The total cost of a car radio is estimated to be no more than 100 yuan, but manufacturers cut this feature to increase profit margins. However, for some drivers, especially those who drive long distances or take road trips, this decision could be problematic. In areas with poor mobile network coverage, mobile phone signals and data may not be available, which could make phone calls impossible. In such cases, the radio still works, as it does not rely on the internet or cellular networks.
In these situations, listening to the radio remains a reliable way to obtain vital information, especially for weather updates, road conditions, or even emergency alerts about disasters. Car manufacturers' decision to remove radio functionality is primarily driven by cost considerations but fails to take into account the need for emergency communication by car owners.
In recent years, extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as typhoons, heavy rainfall, floods, and earthquakes, have become more frequent. This is one of the main reasons why the government is now enforcing regulations that require carmakers to install radios in all vehicles.
Furthermore, with the rise of electric vehicles, car manufacturers must also consider how electric vehicle components and systems might interfere with FM and AM radio signals. This interference is another challenge that automakers must deal with, and it adds to their cost concerns. However, car manufacturers should not prioritize these cost-saving measures over ensuring drivers' access to emergency communication systems. This should be part of their responsibility.
Another issue is that radio listening has become less popular, and in many regions, the quality of radio programming has decreased, making it less appealing to listeners. Many stations air programs focused on health, alcohol, or pharmaceuticals, which can be off-putting. However, not all programs are like this, and users can still use the radio to search for content that interests them, such as music, opera, comedy, economic updates, traffic reports, and political news.