Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) will host a group of leading automotive industry executives in Sydney and Melbourne this month, taking them for a test drive around both cities to experience DAB+ digital radio as part of an automotive industry digital radio workshop.

Key executives from leading car manufacturers will participate in the workshops that will provide; an update on DAB+ digital radio internationally, detail of the signal coverage in the five state capitals and plans for the regional rollout. A session on automotive receivers and getting the best installation for mobile reception, and information on the enhanced traffic and travel services possible with DAB+ will also be part of the workshop.

Representatives from Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo, Subaru, Volkswagen, Audi, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Skoda, Chrysler, GM Holden and Ford will be attending the workshops.

CRA’s Joan Warner says: “Getting DAB+ digital radio into cars is a priority and we want to work closely with the automotive sector to provide them with the most up-to-date information and understand their requirements.”

While the majority of radio listening is still in the home (49%), in car listening continues to grow each year with 2009 Nielson ratings figures showing 32% of radio listening occurs in cars.

A vehicle equipped with the Pure Highway DAB+ in car adaptor will be used on a test drive to illustrate to the workshop delegates the quality of the DAB+ signal coverage and the increased choice in stations with digital radio.   A number of DAB+ antennas currently on the market will also be displayed.

“Digital radio is the future of radio in Australia and we are hosting the automotive workshop to engage with vehicle manufacturers and work closely with them on the integration of digital radio into cars and ensure the best possible reception,” says Warner.

There are three types of DAB+ car radio receiver currently available in the Australian market: the Pure Highway in car adapter, the Bluestate aftermarket radio or by using a pocket DAB+ receiver such as the iRiver, connected to your car’s speaker system.

Further aftermarket devices are in development that could be installed into new cars and to cars already in the market.  

 
The Sydney Workshop is being held on 24 June and the Melbourne Workshop is on 28 June 2010.