Volkswagen brings HD Radio™ to the Masses as a Standard Feature in 2012 Models

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Model year 2012 cars equipped with VW’s Premium VIII radio will be equipped with HD Radio Technology as standard equipment.

HERNDON, Va.—December 21, 2010—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that with the introduction of Model Year 2012, customers of models with the touch screen radio Premium VIII will be able to enjoy the many benefits that HD Radio Technology delivers, including crystal-clear digital sound, additional local digital channels on the FM dial, program service data, as well as the popular iTunes® Tagging feature.

Volkswagen currently offers HD Radio Technology in models equipped with the premium navigation systems RNS-510 and RNS-850. With Model Year 2012, Volkswagen brings the digital sound quality of HD Radio Technology to the masses by making it a standard feature in Premium VIII radio.

“Volkswagen’s continued adoption of HD Radio Technology reinforces their commitment to being an infotainment leader in the automotive sector.” said Jeff Jury, COO, iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology “Volkswagen is bringing technology to the masses with the addition of HD Radio to their best selling radio.”

Volkswagen continues to lead in the application of today’s hottest technologies. Visitors at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, held January 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas, will have an opportunity to experience the latest HD Radio Technology feature, “Artist Experience” in which station logos and artist images are displayed on the screen, in Volkswagen’s Premium VIII radio at the HD Radio display.

HD Radio Technology is available nationwide, with more than 2,000 digital stations on-air and an additional 1,290 HD2/HD3/HD4 digital only channels that broadcast fresh new content which can only be heard with an HD radio receiver. A sampling of the formats on these extra channels, which vary in different markets around the country, include Dance/Electronica, Bluegrass Country, Comedy, Local Music, Chill/Coffee Shop Music, South Asian, Talk, News, Sports and so much more. For a complete, current list of HD Radio stations across the U.S., please visit http://www.hdradio.com.