First Toyota Vehicles With Subscription-Free HD Radio™ Audio, Traffic And Weather Arrive At Dealers

COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio Technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting, announced today that the 2014 Tundra, Corolla, Sequoia, 4Runner, and Tacoma are the first Toyota vehicles to launch integrated audio and real-time traffic and weather services using Clear Channel's Total Traffic HD Network (TTN) and HD Radio Technology.  The 2014 Toyota Corolla, Tundra and Sequoia are now available with the 4Runner and Tacoma arriving in dealerships later this month.

Toyota has launched two new systems integrating HD Radio digital audio entertainment and TTN's real-time traffic and weather information:

For vehicles with navigation systems, Toyota will provide a digital audio and navigation system driven by the first of its kind hybrid technology capable of receiving digital traffic and weather information from both HD Radio stations and the cell phone network, using the driver's smartphone connected with the Toyota Entune system.

For vehicles without navigation, Toyota will offer a premium display audio system complete with free traffic maps and weather information, all delivered by HD Radio stations across the country.

Both systems will also offer the latest digital audio features including Artist Experience®, allowing listeners to view images such as album art on their radio screens as they enjoy their favorite HD Radio stations. 

Jeff Jury, Chief Operating Officer of iBiquity Digital said, "Toyota is leading the automotive industry with their innovative HD Radio offering.  By utilizing multiple delivery systems for traffic and weather information Toyota has built a very compelling service offering.  We are very pleased that subscription-free audio entertainment and traffic and weather information over the HD Radio system is an integral part of this offering.  Toyota and the entire automotive industry is adopting the latest HD Radio audio and data features very quickly driving the transition of over-the-air AM & FM broadcasting to a digital future."

Sandy Lobenstein, Vice President Connected Vehicle Technology and Product Planning at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. said, "Toyota is proud of our partnership with iBiquity and Clear Channel to provide consumers with subscription free traffic and weather information via HD Radio broadcast on our next generation Entune systems.  With Entune App Suite enabled systems, we are also the first to offer consumers 'hybrid data' technology that automatically switches to provide traffic and weather information over the internet via cell phone when a customer travels out of HD Radio broadcast range.  We couldn't be more thrilled to be able to offer consumers these subscription free services along with our industry leading 'hybrid data' capability."

HD Radio Technology is the digital evolution of AM and FM radio and delivers significant benefits for Toyota drivers: crystal-clear sound quality; additional digital only local FM channels known as HD2/HD3 Channels; PSD - Program Service Data, which displays song title and artist name on the radio screen; iTunes Tagging allows listeners to store song information with the touch of a button for later purchase and download through iTunes; Artist Experience which enables images that match the audio content to be displayed on the radio screen; and now, subscription-free traffic and data information sent directly to a vehicles radio or navigation system.  HD Radio Technology is subscription free broadcast radio.

HD Radio Technology is available nationwide, with more than 2,200 digital stations on-air, and over 1,450 HD2/HD3 digital only channels that broadcast fresh new content that 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, and Sports, to name just a few.

33 automakers have now publicly announced plans to incorporate HD Radio Technology in 170+ models by year-end with more than 80 models featuring HD Radio receivers as standard equipment. 

The Official 2014 Toyota Press Releases can be found at the following links:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+next+generation+entune+audio+2014+tundra.htm

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2014+toyota+corolla+pricing.htm

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+pricing+2014+4runner+tacoma.htm

Keep watching for more information at www.toyota.com and www.hdradio.com or download the new HD Radio Guide App from the iTunes store.

About iBiquity Digital Corporation
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of HD Radio™ Technology, which is fueling the digital radio revolution in the United States and around the world. The digital technology enables broadcasters to offer new and unique FM content via HD2/HD3 channels, crystal-clear sound and data services on both the AM and FM bands – all free, with no subscription fee. Leading broadcasters, consumer electronics manufacturers, automakers and retailers are committed to HD Radio Technology. iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Auburn Hills, MI, and Piscataway, NJ. For more information, please visit www.hdradio.com and www.ibiquity.com.

To arrange interviews or for additional information, please contact:

James DeRidder
Director, OEM Marketing
& Communications
iBiquity Digital Corporation
248-537-3267
[email protected]

Note to editors: HD Radio™ and the "HD Radio" logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp. The "HD" in HD Radio™ is part of iBiquity Digital's brand name for its advanced digital AM/FM system. It does not mean hybrid digital or high-definition digital; both of these are incorrect.

SOURCE iBiquity Digital Corporation