Isuzu and Hino are the latest to install digital radio in new vehicles

Two of Australia’s leading truck manufacturers: Isuzu and Hino, will showcase DAB+ digital radio in their selected models at this week’s Brisbane Truck Show, which runs from today until Sunday at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at South Bank.

CRA’s Joan Warner says: “Truck drivers can spend up to 10 or 12 hours in and out of their vehicles and Isuzu and Hino manufacturers have recognised DAB+ digital radio can offer their driver’s a great listener experience.”

Ten manufacturers now include DAB+ digital radio as standard or an option in selected vehicles: Ford, Land Rover, Mercedes, Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Audi, Hino, Jaguar and Isuzu Trucks.

Throughout 2012, 34% of radio listening in Australia was in the vehicle and this continues to rise year on year. Full power DAB+ digital radio is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, with low power trials being conducted in Canberra and Darwin.

“A quarter of a million people are employed in the road transport industry and could benefit from digital radio expanding into regional areas, allowing them to pick up digital radio throughout their journey across the country,” according to Warner.

The industry is running a nationwide digital radio regional awareness campaign which was launched in March and has so far resulted in thousands of people signing the petition to have digital radio rolled out to regional Australia.

The campaign urges listeners to register their support for digital radio expanding into regional Australia with local MPs, via a specially set-up website: www.wewantdigitalradio.com.au. The ad campaign continues to run on more than 200 regional radio stations throughout Australia, targeting the estimated 6.9 million Australians who listen to commercial radio in regional Australia each week.