radioboy

Well interestingly, I found out WHY the dealers don't know anything. Turns out (and this is straight from my connections at iBiquity...the folks who invented HD Radio)...Ford is introducing HD Radio STANDARD half-way through this 2010 model year. Yep. They've been keeping it pretty hush-hush...but apparently it wasn't quite ready for primetime when they launched the 2010's...but you'll see it start to appear in either December or the first part of 2010. Hate to say it, but that kinda pisses me off.

My dealer mentioned this as well...however Ford themselves are now saying that that's not even an option. The story from all sides has been murky at best...like there has been a big error in production.

AND now even more confusion straight from Ford: "Thank you for your email in regards to HD Radio Technology. Upon further investigation on fordvehicles.com, HD Radio technology is or will be available as factory-installed equipment on new vehicles in 2010: Available on MOST models. To verify if your vehicle has the HD radio you will need to check with your dealership. Currently there are no after market kits available. For more information on HD Digital Radio, visit www.hdradio.com." Luckily I know someone at HD Radio quite well ... and she's been told something completely different. It's looking more and more like Ford may have rushed this car out the door and left HD Radio in the dust. How can they say there are no aftermarket options available? The folks at Peripheral won't be too happy to hear that. Oh, and the HD Radio folks are absolutely steamed.

Thanks for the advice...funny thing happens to be that that's exactly who the service advisor spoke to. She mentioned the Peripheral Electronics adapter...but had no idea if it would work with the 2010 radio...which isn't exactly standard-looking in the car...so, wish that was the answer.

It's been noted in a few places, including the Custom Accessories brochure for the 2010 Fusion that HD Radio is an option. I have the standard 6-speaker system with Sirius and Sync...and I've asked everywhere about the HD Radio adapter (which is apparently a dealer-installed option)...and no one knows about it. I'd rather not get into a debate about HD Radio vs. Sat Radio...because the fact is, I work in terrestrial radio and like to have lots of choices...I'm just trying to find out what I need to do to actually get HD Radio in my Fusion. I've called Ford directly...they were confused. Called my dealer first...they're still investigating though they mentioned an add-on from Peripheral Electronics. Turns out that's also what the HD Radio people said Ford was recommending for models PRIOR to 2010. No word on if it actually is still the same solution for 2010. Simply, no one knows. Ford was supposed to have been making HD Radio a factory-installed option for this model year...and you'll find Press Releases on Google that state such. However, no luck. Does anyone here have any ideas? Thanks in advance!