Delphi Automotive Systems Signs Second Deal
20 April 1999
Delphi Automotive Systems Signs Second Deal To Develop Advanced Satellite Audio Systems
Delphi Delco Electronics Systems to Produce Satellite Band Radio
For XM Satellite Radio Inc.
TROY, Mich., April 19 -- Delphi Automotive Systems
Corporation announced that it has signed an agreement with XM
Satellite Radio Inc. to design, develop and market special vehicle audio
systems capable of receiving a new satellite radio service. With the signing
of XM, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems now has agreements with both companies
that have licenses to transmit the innovative satellite radio signals starting
in the year 2000.
"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, Delphi Delco Electronics
Systems general director of engineering. "We were also at the lead in putting
the FM radio in vehicles in 1963. So, it is entirely appropriate for Delphi
Delco Electronics to be out front with satellite radio during the next
century. We are excited about the opportunity."
Satellite radio is an evolving technology that will deliver non-stop,
digital-quality music and other audio programming directly from satellites to
vehicles and residences. Mobile users will need special radios and special
antennas incorporated into their vehicles. The advantages to consumers of the
subscription-based service include the selection of as many as 100 digital-
quality, premium music, news and entertainment programming options
consistently from coast-to-coast.
Delphi Delco Electronics is a leader in mobile communications for original
equipment manufacturers (OEM). Delphi, under the Delco brand name, produces
more than five million audio systems a year for the U.S. vehicle market.
Delphi Delco Electronics manufactures audio systems for a variety of vehicle
producers and is uniquely positioned to provide complete audio systems to
manufacturers. The company provides everything from antennas, tuners, audio
amplifiers and speakers that are custom-designed for the individual vehicle's
acoustics.
"We are delighted to form an alliance with a company of Delphi Delco
Electronics' stature in the vehicle industry," said Hugh Panero, president and
CEO of XM Satellite Radio Inc. "This is another major step in creating the
infrastructure and enthusiasm to successfully launch this exciting new
business."
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; and AsiaOne, a major provider of Asian news and entertainment.
A division of Delphi Automotive Systems Corporation, Delphi Delco
Electronics Systems is based in Kokomo, Indiana. The division develops and
manufactures a full line of vehicle electronics including: integrated body
control modules, chassis electronics, powertrain electronic control modules,
safety and security electronics and integrated circuits.
Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a
world leader in automotive component and systems technology. Delphi's three
business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has more than 198,000
employees and operates 168 Wholly-owned manufacturing sites, 40 joint ventures
and 27 technical centers in 36 countries. Regional headquarters are located
in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com.
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 service (SDARS) licenses form the FCC in October 1997. Hughes Space &
Communications International and Alcatel are building XM's two high-powered,
direct-broadcast satellites that will be launched into geostationary orbit
from Boeing's Sea Launch rocket. For more information, XM can be found at
http://www.xmradio.com.