XM Satellite Radio Inks Deal with Delphi Delco Electronics Systems
19 April 1999
XM Satellite Radio Inks Deal with Delphi Delco Electronics Systems to Develop XM Car Radios
WASHINGTON--April 19, 1999--and programming partners
XM Satellite Radio today announced an agreement with Delphi Delco Electronics Systems, a division of Delphi Automotive Systems , to design, develop and market special AM/FM/XM radios capable of receiving the innovative nationwide satellite radio service.
XM is a new category of radio that capitalizes on direct satellite-to-receiver broadcasting technology. The subscription service will provide listeners from coast-to-coast, at home and in the car, with up to 100 channels of digital-quality music, news and entertainment.
"By inking this deal with Delphi Delco we are continuing to execute on our strategy of forming `best-of-brand' alliances in every category," said Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio Inc. "We're delighted to form an alliance with a company of Delphi Delco's stature in the automotive industry," he added.
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems is the market leader in the original equipment manufacturing (OEM) market for the Delco brand car stereos. Indiana-based Delphi Delco produces more than five million audio systems a year for a variety of OEMs in the US car market and is the number one supplier of car stereo equipment to GM. Delphi is uniquely positioned to provide vehicle manufacturers with complete audio systems, supplying everything from antennas, tuners, audio amplifiers and speakers. Delphi custom designs components and systems to match individual vehicle acoustics.
"Delphi Delco Electronics has been at the forefront of introducing audio technologies since it installed the first AM radio in the instrument panel of an automobile in 1936," said Jeffrey J. Owens, General Director of Engineering for Delphi Delco Electronics. "We were in the lead with FM radio, putting it in vehicles in 1963. It's entirely appropriate to be outfront now with XM radio during the next century," he added.
Best of Brand Alliances in Every Category
Delphi Delco Electronics joins an elite group of XM's development and manufacturing partners, which includes Pioneer, the number one seller of aftermarket car radios; Alpine, a leading seller of radios for luxury automobiles Sharp, one of the world's leading manufacturers of home electronics; and STMicroelectronics, the world's leading supplier of solid-state devices to car radio manufacturers. Hughes Space & Communications International, the world's number one satellite manufacturer, and Alcatel are building XM's two high-powered, direct-broadcast satellites, which will be launched into geostationary orbit from Boeing's Sea Launch rocket.
XM's brand-name programming partners include: USA TODAY, the nation's largest selling newspaper; CNNfn, The Financial Network; CNN/Sports Illustrated; CNN en Espanol; BET and Radio One, leaders in cable TV and radio, respectively, with six exclusive XM channels designed for African-Americans; Bloomberg News Radio; C-SPAN Radio; One-On-One Sports, the nation's largest live 24-hour sports talk radio network; Heftel Broadcasting Corporation, the country's largest Spanish-language radio broadcaster, with five Spanish-language channels exclusively for XM; Salem Communications Corporation, the nation's premier Christian broadcaster, with three channels exclusively for XM; AsiaOne, a major provider of Asian news and entertainment.
Based in Kokomo, Indiana, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems is a division of Delphi Automotive Systems. Along with a complete line of integrated body, chassis, safety, security and powertrain electronics, the company produces a complete product line of original equipment audio systems, providing everything from antennas, speakers and a broad range of head units that accommodate various playback devices. Delphi Automotive Systems can be found on the Internet at www.delphiauto.com.
First there was AM, then FM and now, XM. XM Satellite Radio Inc. is owned by American Mobile Satellite Corporation and WorldSpace, Inc. Formerly called American Mobile Radio Corporation (AMRC), the company obtained one of only two satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) licenses from the FCC in October 1997. XM's selection, quality and convenience will make it America's first choice in audio entertainment. For more information, please visit XM's website at www.xmradio.com.