UK carmakers ‘let down’ seven million Britons by removing a key feature from all new models

UK carmakers have been accused of “failing” seven million music fans who listen to CDs in their cars, after it emerged that all mainstream carmakers have stopped including the players in new models.

A trade body representing music, video and games retailers has called the carmakers’ move “remarkably short-sighted” and said it will prevent people “listening to the music they love”.

Last week, we revealed that Which? had discovered that there were no new cars with CD players on sale. The consumer group revealed that Subaru, the last brand to sell a car with the device, removed the technology earlier this year.

In response, ERA, the digital entertainment and retail association, has carried out research which it says shows that seven million people still listen to CDs in their cars.

This represents approximately 20 per cent of the approximately 34.5 million English residents aged 17 or over who hold a full driving licence.

The ERA said its research showed that 15 percent of the UK adult population “reported listening to music on CDs in their cars.”

ERA chief executive Kim Bayley said: “This is a remarkably short-sighted decision by car manufacturers to prevent fans from listening to the music they love.”

Only slightly fewer people listen to CDs in their cars than those who do so at home, the ERA added.

But the number of people using CDs at home and in the car has declined significantly over the past five years, research shows.

The trade body added that while there had been a “sharp decline” in CD sales over the past 20 years (from 170 million in 2004 to 11.4 million in 2023), there had been signs of a “rebound” in recent years.

He pointed to the recovery of vinyl sales with 18 years of successive growth for that format.

The ERA said its research showed that 15 percent of the UK adult population “reported listening to music on CDs in their cars.”

Ms Bayley said: ‘Car manufacturers appear to be looking through the rear-view mirror when it comes to CD.

“The lesson of vinyl is that you should never rule out a music format. Even today, 50 percent more people say they listen to music on CD than on vinyl.”

He added: “Taylor Swift is setting the standard. The 172,000 CDs sold in the UK this year of her latest album The Tortured Poets Department are more than the three best-selling cars in the UK last year combined.”

‘Car manufacturers should listen to the Swifties and give the CD another chance.’

CDs have been in cars for about four decades.

Mercedes-Benz was the first to include them in its vehicles in 1985.

Several new models were reportedly already featuring this technology last year, including the Porsche 718 and the Lexus LC.

The day the music died: Subaru was the last brand to sell a model with a CD player in the car

Drivers aren’t happy about the death of the CD player. Is streaming a security issue?

Drivers have already complained about not being able to play their CDs in their new engines, writes motoring editor Rob Hull.

As part of Which?’s latest annual car reliability survey, drivers were asked what frustrates them most about their cars, with many respondents expressing dismay at the lack of a CD player.

“I’m very disappointed that there is no option to install a CD player,” said one owner of a Ford Focus Estate (2018 onwards), while a driver of a Dacia Sandero (2013-2021) commented: “I regret the lack of a CD player.” Many other owners simply exclaimed: “There is no CD player!”

The lack of CD players means new car buyers now need to familiarize themselves with the world of streaming music while on the move.

The advantage is that you can listen to a large library of songs in your car.

Many newer cars connect seamlessly to your phone using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so streaming from services like Apple Music and Spotify has never been easier and can be controlled from the car’s touchscreen.

However, operating streaming services through infotainment screens is another distraction for drivers when on the move.

Meanwhile, there are many cars without CD players that don’t have Android or Apple built in and require drivers to connect via Bluetooth to the stereo or plug in via a USB cable and control music from their phone. This is an added temptation to use the phone while driving, which is illegal and dangerous.

Independent car safety body Euro NCAP announced plans earlier this year to downgrade the safety ratings of cars that do not have physical buttons to control five key functions due to concerns about distractions.

Starting January 1, 2026, vehicles without physical buttons or switches for turn signals, hazard lights, horn, wipers and SOS function will also receive lower crash test scores.

Matthew Avery, Euro NCAP’s director of strategic development, explained: “Overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide issue, with almost all vehicle manufacturers moving key controls to central touchscreens, forcing drivers to take their eyes off the road and increasing the risk of distracted crashes.”