NEW YORK —
HD Radio posted new gains
among automakers with announcements
that Chrysler and Acura will offer the technology
for the first time, Hyundai will expand
HD Radio to seven vehicle models from six,
and Toyota will offer it in the Venza for the
first time.
In addition, Cadillac announced that the
2013 SRX will offer HD Radio technology
with iTunes tagging as a standard feature.
iTunes tagging lets users tag songs for later
preview and purchase through iTunes
With the announcements, HD Radio is or
will be available as a factory-installed feature
from 27 automotive brands, said HD Radio
developer iBiquity Digital.
In making its announcement, Chrysler
said the 2013 SRT Viper and the 2013 Ram
1500 will be its first vehicles to offer HD Radio,
along with the Uconnect Media Center
infotainment system. The SRT and Ram will
be available later this year.
For its part, Acura announced that HD Radio
will be available in the RLX sedan, which
will become available in the beginning of 2013.
Meantime, Cadillac said the 2013 SRX
will offer HD Radio with iTunes tagging as
a standard feature. The 2013 SRX will join
the XTS and ATS in offering HD Radio. The
2013 SRX goes on sale this fall.
As for Hyundai, the 2013 Santa Fe will
become the automaker’s seventh vehicle to
offer HD Radio, joining the Equus, Genesis
Sedan, Sonata, Azera, Genesis Coupe and
Veracruz. The 2013 Santa Fe will be the first
Hyundai vehicle to offer iTunes tagging. The
Santa Fe will go on sale late this summer.
In the 2013 Toyota Venza, HD Radio with
iTunes tagging will be part of an options
package that includes the Entune infotainment
system in the XLE. The top-of-the-line
Venza Limited will come with Entune and HD
Radio as standard. Scion offers HD Radio
standard across its vehicle lineup, including
in the newly announced FR-S. Lexus has
also announced HD Radio availability on the
GS, RX, LX and ES models.
