United Kingdom - Automotive - History
14.07.2014
This year it was announced that new vehicle sales were the highest for a decade, new figures released from CAP and the SMMT show that in April 2014, 55% of new cars came with DAB digital radio as standard, up from 37.2% in April 2013.
According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, demand for the new 14-plate saw March 2014 reach 464,824 new car registrations, a rise of 17.7%, the highest in a decade. Record new car sales and the move to fitting digital radio mean that in 2014 to date over 440,000 vehicles have been registered with digital radio as standard - an increase of 62% on last year.
A further steep change is expected when more new models get DAB as standard in Q1 2015 and leading vehicle manufacturers who are yet to fit DAB as standard start introducing DAB across their range.
With over 35 million cars on the road, the challenge (and opportunity) remains in the aftermarket. Digital Radio UK is working with the industry to support the growing aftermarket with consistent media and in-store promotional campaigns.
TICK MARK
At the end of 2013 Government announced that the digital radio ‘tick mark’ would be launched for DAB radios and installers. The ‘tick mark’ run by DRUK, will provide consumers with certainty and reassurance that the products and services that they are buying are future-ready and will enable them to receive the available DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations. From a manufacturer’s perspective, the mark will likely drive sales in the UK.
The tick mark is relevant for both the domestic (home) and in-vehicle markets. In order to be granted use of the tick mark, manufacturers and installers must meet specific criteria. For all information on the tick mark please see here: www.getdigitalradio.com/industry. In terms of the in-vehicle market, for example, service following and traffic announcements are included as part of the minimum specification.
SERVICE FOLLOWING
Alongside the launch of the Digital Radio Certification Mark; Arqiva, Global Radio and Digital Radio UK have set up a test area to demonstrate the DAB service following system. The objective of setting up this test is to provide DAB radio receiver manufacturers with an ETSI standard-compliant demonstration of service following use cases, as defined in ETSI 103 176, and to confirm the UK Broadcast Digital Radio Technical Codes and Guidance published by OFCOM. The UK’s service following test route has been set up and is now live. Service following is required as part of the minimum specification for in-vehicle products, therefore this test route will be useful for manufacturers to test their products. Download the Service Following Test Route Technical Document. For more information contact Sam Bonham, Technology Development Manager, Digital Radio UK sam.bonham@digitalradiouk.com.
05.06.2014
This year it was announced that new vehicle sales were the highest for a decade, new figures released from CAP and the SMMT show that in April 2014, 55% of new cars came with DAB digital radio as standard, up from 37.2% in April 2013.
According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, demand for the new 14-plate saw March 2014 reach 464,824 new car registrations, a rise of 17.7%, the highest in a decade. Record new car sales and the move to fitting digital radio mean that in 2014 to date over 440,000 vehicles have been registered with digital radio as standard - an increase of 62% on last year.
A further step change is expected when more new models get DAB as standard in Q1 2015 and leading vehicle manufacturers who are yet to fit DAB as standard start introducing DAB across their range.
With over 35 million cars on the road, the challenge (and opportunity) remains in the aftermarket. Digital Radio UK is working with the industry to support the growing aftermarket with consistent media and in-store promotional campaigns.
TICK MARK
At the end of 2013 Government announced that the digital radio ‘tick mark’ would be launched for DAB radios and installers. The ‘tick mark’ run by DRUK, will provide consumers with certainty and reassurance that the products and services that they are buying are future-ready and will enable them to receive the available DAB, DAB+ and FM radio stations. From a manufacturer’s perspective, the mark will likely drive sales in the UK.
The tick mark is relevant for both the domestic (home) and in-vehicle markets. In order to be granted use of the tick mark, manufacturers and installers must meet specific criteria. For all information on the tick mark please see here: www.getdigitalradio.com/industry. In terms of the in-vehicle market, for example, service following and traffic announcements are included as part of the minimum specification.
14.04.2014
Minimum Specification for in-vehicle digital radio receivers
A Minimum Specification for in-vehicle digital radio receivers has been published by Government. These criteria will sit behind a consumer facing mark (due for launch in Q4 2013), providing consumers with guidance and confidence in the digital radio products they are buying. See the specifications here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136355/In_Vehicle_Min_Spec.pdf.
The UK minimum receiver specifications for in-vehicle digital radios have been published and the Switchover Certification Mark for in-vehicle receivers is due to launch in Q4 2013. This will provide consumers with confidence in the in-vehicle products they are purchasing.
Installation Scheme
UK industry has launched a training and accreditation scheme for digital radio installers, which will mark out quality installers to consumers and help the smooth transition to digital radio. In order to be granted use of the Installers Digital Radio Accreditation Mark (due for launch in Q4 2013), installers must meet specific criteria. For further information please email sam.bonham@digitalradiouk.com.
Service following and traffic announcements technical trial report
Alongside the minimum receiver specifications, a digital radio service following trial, using the new DAB/DAB+ service following specification produced by the WorldDMB Technical Committee, has been carried out in the UK as a direct result of the Digital Radio Action Plan. This trial allowed automotive manufacturers to test service following on their receivers. The Service following and traffic announcements technical trial report outlines work in the Technology & Equipment Group (TEG) on the UK Minimum Receiver
Specifications. The paper was written by Digital Radio UK and Arqiva.
Download the Service following and traffic announcements technical trial report
New cars
Following the news in March 2014 that new vehicle sales in March were the highest for a decade, new figures have been released from CAP and the SMMT which show that in Q1 2014, 45.2% of new cars came with DAB digital radio as standard, up from 42.8% in Q4 2013. See chart below
In March 2014, 45.5% of new car registrations had DAB as standard (212,000), up 41% from March 2013 (144,000). In March overall car sales were 464k with March and September being the biggest months in the year for new car registrations.
This steady growth reflects the ongoing support for digital radio from vehicle manufacturers and means the UK is on track for 50% of new cars coming with DAB digital radio in the second half of 2014.
A further steep change is expected when more new models get DAB as standard in Q1 2015 and leading vehicle manufacturers who are yet to fit DAB as standard start introducing DAB across their range.
Kia announced this week that DAB will be offered as standard on their Kia Soul model - link here
The following car manufacturers offer DAB as an option or standard; Audi, BMW, Citoen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lotus, Mercedes, Mini, Peugeot, Seat, Skoda, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo.
Aftermarket
There is now an aftermarket product available to fit every vehicle on the UK road and Digital Radio UK is working with the industry to support the growing aftermarket. The marketing of in-car digital radio has increased, with the UK’s industry campaign continuing across commercial radio, BBC TV and radio. This campaign is also translated in-store with consistent digital radio point-of sale and in in-vehicle aftermarket retailers.