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NAB Asks BMW To Reconsider Dropping AM Radio From The Electric i3
August 14, 2014 at 4:01 AM (PT)
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NAB Pres./CEO GORDON SMITH has sent a letter to BMW OF NORTH AMERICA Pres./CEO LUDWIG WILLISCH urging the auto maker to reconsider its decision to drop AM radio from the new electric BMW i3 due to electrical interference.
In the letter, SMITH noted that AM offers not just popular News and Talk radio but also "ethnic language programming, with a wide variety of formats serving a melting pot of diverse communities that make up the fabric of AMERICA" and play-by-play of sporting events. And he noted AM's service as "often the only media source" for emergency information in smaller towns.
"NAB appreciates BMW's concern that the i3's electric motor could cause interference with AM signals and leave customers frustrated," SMITH wrote. "However, BMW's electric car competitors have addressed this AM signal interference sufficiently enough that their vehicles still come equipped with AM radio." He offered that the NAB "stands ready to work with BMW" to alleviate concerns and urged WILLISCH to reconsider the exclusion.

