Volkswagen Australia adds DAB+ radio to 2022 vehicle range

Industry body Commercial Radio Australia has welcomed the news that Volkswagen Australia has added DAB+ digital radio across most of its model year 2022 vehicle range, including its updated T-Cross SUV and Golf.

All Volkswagen passenger and commercial vehicles in Australia will offer DAB+ with the exception of the base model grades of its van and ute range. 

CRA chief executive officer Joan Warner welcomed the news and said the number of new vehicles on the road with DAB+ had increased by 420,000 in the first half of calendar year 2021 as a result of strong overall vehicle sales.

“The number of new vehicles sold with DAB+ was up by 25% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.  This is good news for radio listeners who will benefit from the extra station choice, reliability and ease of use of digital technology,” she said.

Seventy-six per cent of all new vehicles sold in Australia are factory fitted with DAB+.  A total of 4.1 million new vehicles have been sold with DAB+ to June 2021.

DAB+ stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting and is on air in the five major metro markets as well as Hobart, Darwin, Canberra and Mandurah. Commercial broadcasters on the Gold Coast are in the process of working with the Australian Communications and Media Authority to roll out DAB+ in that market.

Earlier this month, the CRA announced that chief executive officer Joan Warner has advised the board that she intends to step down early next year. 

Warner said: “While I informed the CRA Board some time ago of my intention to step down at 31 December 2021, the Board requested, and I agreed, to remain as CEO to 31 March 2022 to allow the company to undertake a comprehensive and far-reaching search for a replacement. There are also major projects with which the Board has asked I continue to assist in the early implementation stages and to ensure a smooth and seamless handover to the incoming CEO.”