AM radio in cars presents an engineering dilemma

[Maninacan]

9. AM reception

In 1980 i was in southern Missouri 350miles from Chicago listening to 89.0 WLS. in my 1972 Chevelle. Those days are gone.
Of the 4 cars in my driveway he 2017 Doge caravan has the best reception with an old style long antenna sticking out of the fender.
My 2011 Buick has terrible reception and my two Ram Promaster vans are worse than that. They have what are called half wave antennas.
I just installed an aftermarket antenna on a ram van and it seems to be a lot better. I need to listen to Stephanie miller on 820AM Chicago.
Have done a lot of research on forums about antennas and idiots always change the reception questions to looks and appearance.
Even Chevy decided to keep selling normal antennas on trucks out west because they work!
I did try to find an extension cable from the vans roof to run to a whip antenna on a separate mount but no luck.