How to save AM radio, GMC’s gnarliest off-road Canyon, electric 911 nods to history
AM radio could live again, lawmakers say
Intake: Reports of the death of AM radio may be premature. A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday to bar automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles, citing safety concerns, says Reuters. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the sponsors of the bill, said at least eight automakers have removed AM broadcast radio from their EVs, including Tesla, BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen, with Ford removing it from gas vehicles, too. Lawmakers say losing AM radio undermines a federal system for delivering key public safety information to the public. The bill would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue regulations to mandate AM radio in new vehicles without additional charge. “Carmakers shouldn’t tune out AM radio in new vehicles or put it behind a costly digital paywall,” Markey said.
Exhaust: Most of the automakers that are removing AM say it is because interference from electric vehicles affects the signal. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing major automakers, said “mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary. Congress has never mandated radio features in vehicles ever before. Automakers remain 100 percent committed to ensuring drivers have access to public alerts and safety warnings.” — Steven Cole Smith
Canyon AT4X AEV Edition promises to take GMC’s midsizer up a notch
Intake: On Instagram yesterday, GMC announced that an even more capable version of the Canyon AT4X midsize pickup would surface on July 6. The Canyon AT4X AEV Edition, created in partnership with off-road aftermarket firm American Expedition Vehicles, will represent the ultimate off-road midsize pickup in GMC’s lineup. It will join the Sierra HD AT4X AEV Edition, revealed earlier this month, and the light-duty Sierra AT4X AEV Edition, which was unveiled last July. The AEV treatment usually involves new underbody skid plates, new bumpers, new wheels, and possibly more, all adding up to increased ground clearance, better approach and departure angles, and generally even more off-road worthiness. From the teaser photo, we can see a new front bumper for sure as well as some very stout underbody armor. The Canyon’s platform mate, the Chevy Colorado, gets goodies such as 35-inch tires and hydraulic jounce shocks when it dons the forthcoming AEV package; expect the Canyon to get this tech as well.
Exhaust: What began for AEV as a fruitful partnership with the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has now spawned a serious tie-in with the entire GM family of pickup trucks. Despite the serious off-road chops, don’t think of this as a response to Ford’s recently revealed Ranger Raptor—that thing still feels like it’s in a league of its own. Instead, this feels like an even more ready-made platform upon which to live out your wildest overlanding dreams. — Nathan Petroelje
Everrati and RS Werks electrify the Porsche 911 ST
Intake: British electro-modder Everrati and Pennsylvania Porsche specialist RS Werks have partnered to produce an homage to the 911 ST. Based on the G-Series chassis 911 from 1973–1989, the car is a tribute to the short run of 33 STs made in 1970–1971 to meet FIA racing regulations. Wider wheel arches allowed for fatter tires and STs were lightened by using thinner steel, removing the heating ducts, and cutting back on interior features. The Everrati/RS Werks car has also been built with weight-saving in mind to compensate for the fitment of a 62-kWh battery and 446-hp electric motor that drives the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. The car is claimed to reach 60 mph from rest in less than four seconds and have a range of more than 200 miles. AC and DC fast charging is included to make it a practical tourer and, unlike the original ST, it doesn’t skimp on luxury. Air conditioning, power steering, and a high-end audio system with Apple Car Play are all included, while TracTive adaptive damping is an option.
Exhaust: Although Everrati hasn’t released numbers the company says the car’s weight and weight distribution are “targeted at as close to that of the original 911 ST.” If that’s true then it would tip the scales at just over 2000 lbs and be more proof that it is possible to add electric performance without amassing mass. — Nik Berg
Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc Edition is a mini-TRX in yellow
Intake: If you missed the boat for the 2023 Ram TRX Havoc Edition announced last December, there’s a new less expensive 2023 Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc Edition featuring the same Baja Yellow exterior color. “Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc buyers will enjoy the newest addition to our light-duty lineup, which offers a distinctive combination of unique exterior appointments only seen on a Ram truck,” said Mike Koval Jr., Ram brand CEO. The Ram 1500 Rebel Havoc Edition “features a unique combination of technology, graphics, performance, and exterior appearance straight from the factory.” Selec-Speed Control is new on the Ram 1500 Rebel for 2023 and allows the truck to maintain a consistent speed while traversing variations in slope. The new tech applies engine torque and brake pressure to help keep a consistent pace, allowing the driver to focus on steering.
Exhaust: The Ram Rebel Havoc Edition starts at $72,205, including a hefty $1,895 destination fee. It goes on sale, “available in extremely limited quantities,” later this spring. —SCS
Ford recalling 422,000 SUVS for video issue
Intake: Ford and the NHTSA are recalling about 422,000 sport utility vehicles in the U.S. because the video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. The recall covers the 2020–2023 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, and 2020–2022 Lincoln Corsair SUVs, all with the 360-degree camera. The recall expands and replaces prior Ford recalls, including one from January 23, for a similar issue. Ford last year updated the image processing module software in an effort to address the issue.
Exhaust: Letters should go out to owners next month. Ford says it is “working together with suppliers to identify root cause and provide the correct remedy as quickly as possible.” — SCS
And speaking of recalls…
Intake: Carfax, the automotive information service, has identified more than 2.5 million vehicles that have been the subject of serious “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” safety recalls that remain unrepaired as of May 1, Carfax data shows. Ten states have more than 70,000 of these vehicles each, with California leading the way with 245,000 vehicles alone. “Despite efforts by state and federal governments—and the auto industry itself—too many consumers are driving in vehicles that have been deemed too dangerous to drive, or that shouldn’t be parked in or near a home for fear of a fire,” said Faisal Hasan, general manager for Data at Carfax. “Officials and communities need to break through consumer recall notice fatigue and drive home the message: We can save lives today by getting these recalls fixed.”
Exhaust: You can check VIN numbers on both Carfax.com and NHTSA.gov to see if your vehicle has a “Do not drive” and/or “Park outside” recall. It really could save your life. — SCS
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Electric 911 kind of kills the point.
The AM radio deal is easily resolved if they go to the web. Might improve the sound.
The GMC Canyon Rocks. Just a bit pricy for a mid size truck. Watching to see how it sells. I am a GMC fan but skeptical.
The problem of going to the web with AM is that there is a tremendous amounts of the US that is not serviced well enough by cellular coverage. Most of this area is west of the Mississippi, but there is a fair amount in the east. A good example of this is my uncle’s home in north central Mississippi. It’s only 6.5 miles from an interstate, but due to the terrain, there is absolutely zero cell coverage in his driveway & house. To get a signal, we have to go a half a mile to the top of a ridge just to get a single bar. This is in an area that the hills are only 100-200 feet high over the surrounding terrain. Going to satellite comms to the vehicles would solve this particular situation, but it would have other drawbacks like obstructions.
In short, AM needs to stay around for a while longer. While it’s not the best method to get the message out, it will get it out with an added benefit of extra range. I do have decent FM coverage for my situation above, go out west or travel the ALCAN Hwy and you will really find out how isolated you can be with only being able to receive AM.
Why doesn’t the FCC enforce compliance of electronic interference created by the poor design of the vehicle manufacturers, like they are supposed to do?
An electric 911 is the automotive equivalent of nonalcoholic beer…why bother?
The electric 911 hyperv6 mentioned is not the Porsche, it’s the digital version of the emergency service. Basically he’s saying that if we can get emergency alerts on our phone, we don’t really them to be broadcast on AM.
For those saying that there are other sources than AM radio to get emergency information, let me say this. Do you want to be in a post-disaster scenario such as a tornado and rely on the internet/cell towers to get information out? AM radio can be broadcast hundreds of miles and works with 99.9% (SWAG number) of the radios/households out there right now. Fixing the AM radio problem isn’t exactly the largest technological leap the conversion to electric vehicles entails, so I say to the automakers: “Deal with it.”
Totally agree… You can see my response above…
The AAI says “mandating AM radios in all vehicles is unnecessary.” Well, if AM radios are needed in cars and manufacturers aren’t providing them, mandating the radios is necessary.
The AAI also says “Congress has never mandated radio features in vehicles ever before.” Congress never had to before.
Pocket AM radios with weather on Amazon($20). Keep fresh batteries nearby and your always ready. I think the Government has bigger issues than this.
SEMA Action Network needs to jump on this AM denial foolishness. This is a potentially disastrous scenario!
AM radio needs to stay in car radios for the reasons mentioned above. it is laziness to not do the work to get a proper fix for the interference issue. AM disappearing on non-EV cars makes even less sense. Though I would say the middle of nowhere country areas are far less likely to do an EV as they have longer distances they tend to travel regularly. Still it’s no excuse for manufacturers.
Amen on keeping AM!
Stock AM radios had a little CONtrol of ELectronic RADiation triangle symbol at 640 and 1240 on the dial, so you’d know where to tune if disaster struck. Serious minded people wanted the SW band added, so they could keep in touch with the rest of the world when the inevitable happened. Times were different then.
When disaster strikes few people will turn to AM radio. They’ll turn to Twitter.
AM radio also broadcasts traffic conditions in many cities across the US. I find that pretty handy, even with a Sirius XM traffic subscription.
In another article on this site, someone commented to the effect that “the only people who listen to AM radio are boomers”. Not sure if that’s true or not, but as a boomer myself, I wonder why I (and a whole ton of other people) should just be discounted so callously? Yep, I’m older than dirt. Yep, I cling to things I’m nostalgic about. Yep, I’d rather listen to Jan and Dean at a car show than Cardi B. Yep, yep, and yep. So what?
I’m still breathing. I still pay my taxes. I still stand and salute when Old Glory passes by. I’m not quite ready to be put out of my misery just yet, and I don’t think AM should be either. EV motors cause some buzzing on an AM broadcast? Stick a coat hanger in the antenna slot, turn it until the signal is strongest, and deal with it…
My conspiracy theory.
AM radio signals are broadcast out into the atmosphere. They are pretty much everywhere, all the time. EVs and their complicated electronics are constantly bombarded by AM radio signals. All your car radio is doing is listening-in to the signal, and not creating any interference.
C’mon Ford, you just want to make it tougher for “right wing” AM radio listeners.
One of the fun things about AM is the incredible range signals can travel. As a kid, more years ago than I want to remember, I used to used a plain 5 tube GE AM clock radio that had a huge ferrite bar antenna to pick up stations from distant Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee in central NJ at night.
Interestingly, even now my 2014 Tahoe can pick up NYC Newsradio 88 on the mountains near Bethel Maine at night.
There you go—EV stands in the way of yet something else! Should we be surprised? Of course not! The complete aim of “electrifying” any and everything is NOT “saving the Planet”–it’s about removing mobility for the World’s population. Remove mobility and World Gov’t has nearly complete control of Humans!