DAB receiver sales pass 166 million worldwide

DAB+ is tightening its grip on connected car dashboards.

New figures announced at WorldDAB Automotive 2026 in Frankfurt show global sales of DAB and DAB+ receivers have passed 166 million units.

Sales across 11 core markets now stand at 166.6 million devices, a rise of more than 10% since the previous figures were published in February last year. France and Italy were named as the fastest growing large markets, while DAB+ coverage in France has expanded to 80% of the population.

WorldDAB said the figures reflect the continued move towards digital radio in cars, with DAB+ now fitted as standard in almost all new cars sold across Europe. Similar regulatory approaches are also being adopted outside Europe, including in Saudi Arabia.

WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst told delegates the sector needed “proof, practical tools, shared language and coordinated action” to keep broadcast radio visible in cars.

Sibyle Veil, CEO of Radio France and Chair of the EBU Radio Committee, said radio’s future in vehicles mattered because it remains “uniquely resilient”.

New international research from Fifty5Blue, formerly Kantar Media, found 85% of in-car radio listeners said they would really miss having radio in their car.

Gregor Pötzsch from CARIAD, VW Group, said customers expect radio to be easy to use and prominent in the dashboard.

Further data from Xperi showed almost 90% of total in-vehicle radio listening in DTS AutoStage-equipped vehicles in Germany was to DAB+.

The next WorldDAB General Assembly and Summit will take place in Vienna on 18 and 19 November.