Is Local Radio Dying? Parts Company Ships More Than 1.2 Million Satellite Radios
Satellite Radio Business Grows at a Rapid Pace
TROY, Mich., Oct. 10 -- On December 19, 2001, Delphi Corp. announced that it was the first original equipment supplier to install satellite radios for a limited number of original equipment applications. Today, Delphi announced that it has produced and shipped more than 1.2 million factory-installed and retail satellite radios for this new entertainment medium.
"The satellite radio market has just taken off at an amazing rate," said J.T. Battenberg, III, Chairman and CEO of Delphi Corp. "This technology takes radio to the next level of sophistication, convenience and owner-satisfaction. It is great to be out in front of the rest of the market."
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems and Delphi Product & Service Solutions produce satellite radio hardware for original equipment customers and for retail distribution. Delphi signed licensing agreements as early as 1999, as the nascent satellite radio business began to materialize. Delphi is licensed to produce audio systems with either of the two current content providers of satellite radio.
"We recognized the potential of this new medium and got on board with satellite radio before either of the content companies had even launched their satellites," said Jeffrey J. Owens, president of Delphi Delco Electronics Systems. "The acceptance rate and popularity of digital satellite radio entertainment is bearing out that our instincts were right and we are delighted to continue to lead the market."
Delphi has produced and shipped 475,000 retail units and 770,000 factory- installed satellite radio units. Delphi provides satellite radio units to the world's leading OEMs, and its retail units are available at Wal-Mart, Crutchfield, BestBuy, Circuit City and Sears. Delphi Delco Electronics and Delphi Product & Service Solutions recently celebrated achieving over 1 million units shipped milestone with XM Radio representatives at a commemorative event staged at the Delphi Delco Electronics Systems headquarters in Kokomo, Indiana.
"We are very excited about reaching this significant milestone," said Francisco A. (Frank) Ordonez, president Delphi Product & Service Solutions. "Our Delphi XM SkYFi products certainly hit the right mark with the right features and functions at the right time in the market. They are truly the hottest satellite products on this planet."
Satellite radio has revolutionized traditional car radio by offering consumers added options for music and programming. Satellite radio currently features more than 100 stations that offer digital quality music, news, comedy, sports and entertainment. Subscribers to the service can enjoy the same station without interruptions from coast-to-coast.
A leader for many years in mobile communication, Delphi has produced more than 250 million audio sound systems. Delphi Delco Electronics installed the first AM radio in the instrument panel of a vehicle in 1936. Since then, Delphi has been at the forefront in introducing and integrating leading communications and entertainment technology into vehicles including: AM/FM stereo, electronic tuning, RDS, cassette and compact disc players, satellite radio, navigation, DVD and MP3.
For more information about Delphi, visit www.delphi.com/media .