Over 1/3 of new cars registered in Q1 2013 were fitted with digital radio as standard.

Or 35.4% to be exact, according to Digital Radio UK, which is up from 22.5% in the same quarter in 2012, and from 9.9% in 2011.

Leading vehicle manufacturers have committed to fitting digital radio as standard in growing numbers. In early 2013 100% of new BMW model registrations had digital radio, 81% of new VW models and 73% of new Ford models. This follows recent news from Audi who announced that from this month all their new models will have digital radio as standard.

Ford Ennals, CEO of Digital Radio UK, says: “This is a tipping point for digital radio in-car. In a great sales quarter there has been a major shift with the leading manufacturers such as BMW, VW and Ford now having the majority of their new models with digital radio as standard. Drivers really love digital radio and we see the continuing growth of digital radio in-car as inevitable with the commitment of most vehicle manufacturers and the continued expansion of local DAB coverage across the UK road network.”