Ford has announced it will offer HD Digital Radio as a dealer-installed option on most of its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles for the 2008 model year. Although Ford failed to mention which models will not be available with the HD Radio option, the automaker did say the technology can be retrofitted to many 2005, 2006 and 2007 Ford vehicles. Ford has yet to release pricing for the HD Radio option.
HD Radio offers better sound quality than conventional radio and also allows for the transmission of additional data — such as text and even additional channels. Currently, 1,500 radio stations in the U.S. broadcast in HD and, unlike satellite radio, there is no subscription fees.
BMW was one of the first automakers to offer HD Radio but, unlike Ford , the option is only available on select models.
