End of the road for the car CD player – no new models now sold with them as the last car maker calls time

The time has come for us to say goodbye as it's the end of the road for the car CD player, about time or will you miss it? Let's take a look at what modern features have been replacing the car CD player and what options you have if you still enjoy your CD collection.

The time has come for us to say goodbye to the in-car CD player – about time! It’s officially the end of the road for the car CD player and we don’t know about you, but when was the last time you used your car CD player? 

Subaru was the last manufacturer to offer a CD player in its vehicles, but they have now removed it from their Forester SUV as part of a model update earlier this year, according to This Is Money. This marks the end of an era that began in 1985 when Mercedes-Benz first introduced the technology.

According to Head Phonesty, the shift away from CD players is largely due to the rise of streaming services and digital connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While this change aligns with modern trends, it has left some drivers nostalgic and frustrated, especially since CD sales have seen a slight resurgence recently. Infact, there was an increase of 3.2% increase in the first half of 2024.

With the decline of CD players in cars, several modern features have taken their place, enhancing the driving experience:

Satellite Radio: Services like SiriusXM offer a wide variety of channels, including music, news, and sports, without the need for CDs.

Streaming Services: Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows drivers to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly from their smartphones.

Bluetooth Connectivity: This enables wireless connection between the car’s audio system and mobile devices, allowing for hands-free calls and music streaming.

USB Ports: These provide a way to connect and charge devices, as well as play music from USB drives.

Voice Assistants: Systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri are being integrated into car infotainment systems, allowing for voice-controlled navigation, music selection, and more.

Touchscreen Infotainment Systems: These systems offer a wide range of functionalities, from navigation to entertainment, all accessible through an intuitive interface.

While new cars may no longer come with CD players, you still have a few options to keep enjoying your collection:

Portable CD Players: You can use a portable CD player with an auxiliary input or Bluetooth transmitter to connect to your car’s audio system.

Aftermarket CD Players: There are aftermarket CD players that can be installed in your car. These can be integrated into your car’s existing audio system.

USB CD Drives: Some USB CD drives can be connected to your car’s infotainment system if it supports USB audio input.

Home Use: You can always enjoy your CDs at home with a traditional CD player or a modern stereo system that includes a CD player.

How do you feel about this transition? Do you still use CDs, or have you moved on to streaming?

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