Ford Motor Co. will hold AM radio in all 2024 Ford and Lincoln fashions and restore it on two electrical automobiles through a software program replace, in accordance with CEO Jim Farley.

In a tweet, Farley mentioned the choice was made “after talking with [U.S.] coverage leaders concerning the significance of AM broadcast radio as part of the emergency alert system.” The corporate eliminated AM radio from the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning and deliberate to discontinue it on all merchandise transferring ahead.

Farley mentioned the corporate would search for different methods to ship emergency alerts sooner or later.

“Clients can at the moment take heed to AM radio content material in a wide range of methods in our automobiles — together with through streaming — and we are going to proceed to innovate to ship even higher in-vehicle leisure and emergency notification choices sooner or later.” he mentioned.

Ford’s reversal comes after a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers final week launched laws to bar automakers from eliminating AM broadcast radio on new automobiles and light-weight vans, citing security issues. The invoice would direct NHTSA to problem laws to mandate AM radio in new automobiles with out further cost.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of many sponsors of the invoice, on Tuesday praised Ford’s reversal.

“AM radio is extra than simply a necessary security function—it is a free, accessible supply for anybody to take heed to music, information, sports activities, and leisure,” he mentioned in an announcement. “Innovation within the automotive trade ought to imply extra options, not fewer, for customers. Ford’s reversal displays an overdue realization concerning the significance of AM radio, however too many automakers are nonetheless going the fallacious course.”