AZE.US
Azerbaijan may consider revising technical requirements for imported vehicles after concerns emerged over Chinese-made electric cars without functioning FM radio.
The issue received renewed attention at the Fourth Shusha Global Media Forum, where President Ilham Aliyev said he could not imagine driving a car without a radio and expressed readiness to support an initiative addressing the problem.
Automotive expert Elchin Abbasov said Azerbaijan’s current regulations require imported vehicles to meet safety standards, including requirements for airbags and anti-lock braking systems. However, a functioning FM radio is not mandatory.
The problem is most common in vehicles manufactured for China’s domestic market and brought to Azerbaijan through private or unofficial import channels. Their multimedia systems are often designed for internet-based services and Chinese digital broadcasting standards, making some functions incompatible with local networks.
In certain cases, FM radio can be restored through additional software or technical modifications. Vehicles imported by official dealers are usually adapted to Azerbaijani standards before being offered for sale.
Member of Parliament Arzukhan Alizade said importers should fully inform buyers about a vehicle’s technical specifications and any multimedia functions that may not work in Azerbaijan.
No legislation requiring FM radio in imported vehicles has been announced. Under current rules, cars without this function can still be legally imported and operated in Azerbaijan.
AZE.US