When did car radios become standard in cars?
Car radios became standard in most new cars during the early 1960s, after the first car radios appeared in the 1930s. The path from luxury option to everyday equipment unfolded over several decades across markets.
This article traces the arc from early experiments to today’s infotainment systems, noting regional differences and how in-car audio evolved from a single AM receiver to a multi-function dashboard interface that includes FM, Bluetooth, navigation, and streaming.
Origins and early adoption
The car radio began as an experimental concept in the 1920s, with the first commercially available car radio arriving in 1930 from Motorola (then Galvin Manufacturing). It started as an optional luxury rather than a standard feature, as automakers and consumers weighed the value of in-car entertainment against cost and reliability.
- 1930 — The first commercially available car radio launches (Motorola), beginning the era of in‑car audio but remaining an optional feature for many years.
- 1940s–1950s — Radio technology shifts from a novelty to a common car feature; AM radios become widespread and some cars offer radios as standard or bundled options in higher trims.
- Mid-1950s onward — The car radio becomes increasingly common, and many manufacturers offer radios as standard equipment on many models, especially in North America.
- Early 1960s — In the United States, radios are standard on virtually all new passenger cars, with FM radios gradually gaining popularity in parallel.
The 1950s marked a turning point as in-car radio adoption accelerated and manufacturers used radios to differentiate models and appeal to car buyers on long trips, commuting, and entertainment.
Timeline of standardization in major markets
In different regions, the pace of standardization varied, but by the 1960s to 1970s the majority of mass-market cars in many developed markets carried radios as standard or near-standard equipment. The following timeline highlights general milestones across key markets.
- 1930 — First commercially available car radio launches (Motorola); often sold as an optional upgrade rather than standard.
- 1950s — AM radios become widely adopted in mass-market models; many cars offer radios as standard in popular trims.
- Early 1960s — Radios are standard in most new U.S. passenger cars; FM bands begin to appear in more models.
- 1970s–1980s — Stereophonic FM becomes common; cassette decks appear and become widespread; car radios evolve into multi-function head units.
- 1990s–2000s — CD players become common, with later MP3/USB inputs and satellite radio options as standard or near-standard in many models.
- 2010s–present — Infotainment systems replace traditional radios with touchscreen interfaces, Bluetooth, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), and streaming options.
Regional differences persist, with some markets adopting in-car entertainment sooner due to consumer demand, regulation, and production strategies. Nevertheless, the car radio’s role as a standard feature was solidified in the mid-20th century and has since evolved into broader infotainment systems.
From radio to infotainment
As technology advanced, radios evolved into full infotainment ecosystems that integrate audio with navigation, communications, and multimedia. The shift accelerated from the 1990s into the 2000s and 2010s, turning the dashboard into a multi-function interface rather than a simple radio tuner.
Key feature milestones
These milestones illustrate how the in-car radio matured into today’s infotainment platforms. Each step reflects a broad industry trend rather than a single year.
- 1960s–1970s: Introduction of FM stereo and improved tuners; AM/FM receivers become common in many models.
- Late 1970s–1980s: Cassette tape decks become widespread, replacing or supplementing 8-track systems.
- Mid-1990s: CD players become a standard option on many models, later with factory-installed CD changers in some cars.
- 2000s: Digital tuners, satellite radio options (e.g., SiriusXM in the U.S.), and auxiliary inputs become common.
- Late 2000s–present: Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), touchscreen operation, and integrated navigation become standard features in many vehicles.
These changes reflect broader shifts in automotive electronics, with the radio remaining a core feature but now bundled into comprehensive infotainment systems that manage audio alongside navigation, hands-free calling, and app ecosystems.
Summary
In summary, car radios began as a novel feature in the 1930s, but became standard in most new cars in the United States by the early 1960s, with broader global adoption following in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, radios have evolved from simple AM/FM receivers to sophisticated infotainment systems that integrate streaming, navigation, and smartphone connectivity, while the basic principle of in-car audio remains.
When did CD players stop being put in cars?
CD players are no longer standard in new cars, with most manufacturers phasing them out around 2019-2020 due to the rise of digital music and streaming services. The last few models to offer them as a standard or optional feature were phased out between 2022 and 2025, with Subaru being one of the final brands to stop offering them.
Timeline of the phase-out
- Around 2019-2020: Many mainstream manufacturers stopped offering CD players in most of their models.
- By 2021: GM stopped offering them in passenger vehicles, marking the end for many brands.
- By 2022: Some manufacturers like Honda and Toyota still offered them as an option, but they were becoming rare.
- By 2024: Subaru phased out the CD player from its Forester, which had been one of the last holdouts.
- By 2025: Some of the very last models, like certain Subaru and Lexus variants, continued to offer them as an option before it was discontinued for the model year.
Reasons for the phase-out
- Decline of CD sales: CD sales dropped significantly, making them less popular.
- Rise of digital music: The convenience of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, along with MP3 players, became more appealing.
- Smartphone integration: Features like Bluetooth, USB ports, and auxiliary inputs allowed users to connect and play music from their phones, making a built-in CD player redundant.
- Space and cost savings: Removing the CD player allowed manufacturers to save space and reduce costs in the vehicle's dashboard design.
Did 1950s cars have radios?
Yes, many cars had radios in the 1950s, and they became increasingly common and advanced throughout the decade. Early in the decade, car radios were still an optional, expensive feature that often only included AM, but by the end of the 1950s, FM radios, and dual AM/FM radios became more widespread, and factory-installed radios started becoming a standard feature in many new models.
- Early 1950s: Radios were optional extras, often costing as much as the heater. They typically only received AM stations.
- Mid-1950s: Technology advanced with the introduction of FM radio for cars in 1952. Innovations like automatic station search were also introduced.
- Late 1950s: Dual-band AM/FM radios became more common by the mid-to-late 50s. The introduction of the transistor also made radios smaller, more durable, and more energy-efficient. By the end of the decade, factory-installed radios were becoming standard on many new cars.
When did Ford put radios in cars?
According to available information, Ford first started offering factory-installed radios in their cars in 1933; these radios were manufactured by Motorola and were considered the first commercially successful car radios to be widely available.
When did radios become common in cars?
Radios became common in cars by the mid-1960s, as prices dropped and technology improved. While car radios first appeared in the early 1920s, they were initially bulky and expensive, becoming more streamlined and accessible through innovations in the 1930s and 1940s. By 1963, more than 60% of cars on the road had radios, and by the 1970s, radios were in about 90% of cars.
- 1920s: The first car radios, like those offered by Chevrolet, were introduced but were very expensive and bulky.
- 1930s: Motorola produced smaller radios, and features like push-button tuning were added for safety.
- 1950s: The cost of radios dropped, and factory-installed radios became more standard.
- Mid-1960s: The majority of new cars were equipped with radios, making them a common feature.
