This change will upset the habits of many motorists.
As soon as they go up by car, many drivers repeat the same gestures. Set the seat, spray a spray, connect their phone. Others adjust their glasses or mechanically catch their belt. Reflexes that have become automatic. And yet, one of them will soon disappear, especially among those who are still driving with traditional cars, without high-tech equipment. Today, recent models are ultra-equipped: start-up, electric brake, reversing camera, radar, parking assistance … The central touch screen all: GPS, calls, air conditioning. Even driving becomes assisted on the road.
Result: some gestures and equipment before become useless and are doomed to disappear. This is the case of the classic car radio station, to which many remain attached. They use it to listen to their favorite music or follow the news during their journeys. It is also a familiar, easy to use, with pimples that they know by heart. For them, it is simple, practical, and there is no need for a touch screen or internet connection to make it work.
But unfortunately, the traditional car radio is gradually disappearing. It is also noted on the new car models, such as the Zoe electric car, the Opel Rocks-E and the Citroën Friend. A trend confirmed by the PSA group that we contacted: “The new car models tend to replace the traditional car radio station with more modern devices, such as touch screens and connected phone supports”. According to the French car manufacturer, this development is motivated by several factors, including technology and connectivity, comfort and ergonomics, and safety. “The new devices can contribute to a safer driving by minimizing distractions. For example, the integration of voice commands allows drivers to control their devices without leaving the eyes of the road.”
Same bell sound on the side of Renault that we also contacted. “The evolution of the screens has transformed the use of radio into a car, going from a simple physical car radio to a connected and intelligent system. Today, the radio experience is no longer limited to FM stations, but includes an extended offer thanks to digital and streaming services”, told us the Renault press service. Now, the 2.0 car radio offers different connected services, according to vehicles: Waze, Google Assistant, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, it can also give traffic in real time, or the weather. As you can see, the good old car radio is seeing its last hours!