HD Radio adoption in Mexico is growing.
That’s important, as retailers and automakers look to a unified digital radio platform across Mexico, Canada and the United States.
That country’s rollout began in 2008 in Mexico City. More than 40 stations in Mexico now use HD Radio technology. Thirteen stations in Mexico City currently deliver 24 additional HD2/HD3 channels, according to iBiquity Digital.
IMER (Instituto Mexicano de la Radio) recently announced it upgraded all 13 of its FMs to include HD Radio technology. Another 30 stations have acquired equipment and await approval by their equivalent of the FCC to begin operations.
Home and aftermarket HD Radio receivers are available from Alpine, Insignia, Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony and Sparc, with products ranging from entry-level car stereo products to portable radios. Retailers with products include Best Buy, Coppel, Liverpool, Sears, Famsa as well as online sellers.
Fourteen automakers (Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Infiniti, Jeep, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Ram and Toyota) offer HD Radio receivers in more than 45 vehicle models sold in Mexico. Some 200,000 HD Radio-equipped vehicles are now on the road in that country.
