Satellite Radio News (4.12.04)

The following is a summary of today's satellite radio headlines:

Saab to Offer XM Satellite Radio (XM Satellite Radio, 4.8.04) Press release notes that XM Satellite Radio XM Satellite Radio announced that Saab will offer XM Radio in its vehicle models, beginning with the brand-new 2005 Saab 9-7X sport utility vehicle. The Saab 9-7X makes its world debut this week at the New York International Auto Show. The new model is Saab's first sport utility vehicle. The new 9-7X with factory-installed XM Radio will be built at GM's Moraine Assembly plant in Ohio, beginning in the first quarter of 2005. Additionally, beginning this fall, Saab will offer XM as a dealer-installed option on all of its models through its Saab Accessory program.) Saab will further expand the availability of XM as a factory installed feature on additional Saab models in the 2006 model year. (Read more)

XM Radio and NAVTEQ Introduce XM NavTraffic: The Nation's First Satellite Traffic Information Service for Vehicle Navigation Systems (XM Satellite Radio, 4.7.04) Press release notes that XM Satellite Radio unveiled a groundbreaking new satellite data information service called XM NavTraffic. The service is powered by NAVTEQ Traffic, a new product from NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation systems. XM NavTraffic is the nation's first satellite traffic information service that enables a vehicle's on-board navigation system to display current traffic information for a driver's chosen route. XM NavTraffic will debut this fall as the provider of traffic data to the AcuraLink communication system that will be a standard feature on the all-new 2005 Acura RL. The state-of-the-art Acura Satellite Navigation System will provide drivers with real-time traffic information integrated with an in- vehicle navigation system, a first in North America. (Read more)

Honda to Double Production of Vehicles Factory-Installed With XM Radio for 2005 Model Year (XM Satellite Radio, 4.7.04) Press release notes that XM Satellite Radio announced that American Honda will increase the number of models which will be sold with XM radios as standard equipment for the 2005 model year. Honda estimates that the number of models should result in an increase in sales from 200,000 vehicles in 2004 to 400,000 vehicles in 2005. All of Honda's XM-equipped models will be sold with a three-month free trial subscription. According to American Honda Motor Co., Inc., a total of seven model year 2005 Acura and Honda models will include XM as a factory-installed standard feature. Further details regarding XM availability on additional 2005 models will be announced later this year by American Honda. For the 2004 model year, XM is a standard factory-installed feature on the Acura RL, Acura TL and select Honda Accord models. Also, XM is available as a dealer-installed option on the 2004 Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, Honda S2000 and Acura TSX. (Read more)

DaimlerChrysler, Sirius in new satellite radio pact (Reuters, 4.6.04) News article notes that Sirius Satellite Radio said that auto maker DaimlerChrysler would factory-install Sirius radios into a wide range of its new vehicles and offer bundled subscriptions, in a deal that could accelerate Sirius' subscriber growth. Sirius will fit 550,000 DaimlerChrysler cars with its radios by June 2006, and DaimlerChrysler will bundle a one-year subscription to Sirius service in those vehicles. Previously, Sirius was primarily available to car owners in the aftermarket, where local dealers install the equipment. (Read more)