Last time we checked, CDs were still selling in the hundreds of millions per year.
But automakers have multi-year product cycles to think about, which is why Ford is now officially ditching the in-dash CD player – just like the tape player before it. “In-car entertainment technology is moving digital more rapidly than almost any other element of the vehicle experience,” said Sheryl Connelly, global trends and futuring manager at Ford Motor Company. “The in-car CD player – much like pay telephones – is destined to fade away in the face of exciting new technology.”
The company pointed to its Focus as the first model that will go CD-free, part of an aggressive move towards integrated smartphone, USB and MP3-focused support. Ford has been pushing in-dash digital entertainment integrations through its SYNC system for some time, a shift that includes touchscreen support for apps like Pandora (and, scarily, Twitter as well).
Then again, not every model is going CD-free immediately, and some shufflers will be kept in the lineup – for now. “Ford will obviously continue to offer CD players while there is demand,” Ford multimedia manager Ralf Brosig told Expert Reviews. “However, over time we expect customer preferences will lead us quickly into an all-digital approach to in-car audio entertainment.”
This is all part of a tricky catch-22 for the disc. For millions, there’s nothing wrong with this format, though at some point, players like Ford need to cut the cord. That, coupled with the absence of physical music retailers and a blitz of digital options, simply feeds the downward spiral.
/pr.
Jennifer Smith
CDs need to go. Good job Ford for ditching the in-dash. CDs are terrible: breakable, scratchable, fragile. good riddance.
Michael Chouinard
I’m not.
Doug Orey
If I owned a car I would be all about this!
“In-car entertainment technology is moving digital more rapidly than almost any other element of the vehicle experience.”
This is how marketing demolishes the English language.
By the way, just how many “elements” of the “vehicular experience” are moving digital anyway? The wheels? The doors? Just wondering.
– Versus
bandwidthmusic
CD Frisbee anyone??
I wonder if it’s just too difficult to include both ways (cd and digital/bluetooth/wireless) and give the consumers the option of using the product how it best serves their needs as opposed to the manufacturer forcing the consumer to use the product in the manner that the manufacturer dictates.
Signed,
Steve Jobs and Sony PS3.
caragotoheller
Ford the cutting edge of integrating digital music into auto dashboards? Weird.
Colin Mills
The Compact Disc gets another death sentence….
i hope the cd format dies. digital sound stinks. this should have been done years ago. digital is too sterile and cold. 8 tracks sound better than digital.
Tom Maynor
Rarely use my car CD player, would you miss yours?
is this the future?
They are saying it now! I ditched CD in my car in 2009. http://kousik.blogspot.com/2009/06/all-solid-state-cheapo-car-audio.html
Tim England
8-Track Player-gone. Audiocassette player-gone. Now Ford says CD players will be phased out of its cars.The beat goes on.
Rick Castello
First Apple, now Ford…
A.T. Nelson
*pfft* my truck still has a cassette player
Whats a CD? lol To be honest I have not bought a CD for 7 years!!!
CD…$17.99
MP3…$0.99
Can you hear the differance, do you feel less satisfied aurally? 🙂
tara grumm
You feel old when… you have seen the elimination of the cassette player in cars and NOW the CD player!
Matt Williams
CDs are fading fast. Scary, but I can’t help but like the idea of a digitally-integrated car.
Dean Heuman
Good idea or bad?
Common Sense
Bad.
Carla Howatt
Unavoidable…
One more example of the dumbing down of America. Anyone whose total music library consists of MP3s is missing what music is meant to be. Even CDs have their limitations, but for a car environment are probably sufficient. I suspect that in mass market vehicles this trend will gather momentum. My only hope is that for those who spring for upscale audio systems, whether OEM or aftermarket will have the option to continue with the superior medium.