General Motors Owns 19% Of XM Satellite Radio - What Does Delphi Think Of That?

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. December 24, 2003; Dow Jones reported that German auto maker BMW will offer Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. systems as a factory option on its 2004 5 Series sedan starting this month in the U.S.

In addition, the company will begin to offer the Sirius product as a dealer- installed accessory in February.

In a press release Wednesday, BMW said the Sirius system can be installed for $595. BMW said it is the first "premium" auto maker to offer Sirius' satellite radio. Sirius has partnered with DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co., among other companies.

Sirius' main competitor, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., as not only partnered with big auto makers but also is part-owned by some of them. According to an article in February in Barron's, General Motors Corp. owns 19% of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. (XM), while Honda Motor Co. owns about 8%.

Sirius offers about 60 streams of programming, or channels, while XM Satellite offers 70 channels. Sirius has about 200,000 subscribers, far less than the 1 million reported by XM Satellite.