Satellite Radio In Your New Vehicle
By Jonathan Dalton
With Sirius and XM continuing to land partnership
deals with just about every vehicle maker
on the planet, the option to add Satellite
radio in your new vehicle is being offered
at more and more automobile dealerships across
the U.S.
Though still not a common "standard"
feature, the appearance of satellite radio
as an available "option" has more
than tripled over the past three years.
Factory-installed and dealer-installed
options: Both Satellite radio companies
encourage automobile manufacturers to
'factory fit' Satellite radio systems,
this increases the chance that auto buyers
will become subscribers.
New vehicles boasting a Satellite radio
option come off a manufacturer’s assembly
line with either a partly or fully equipped
Satellite radio system. In most cases,
a new vehicle will arrive at a dealership
with a factory-fitted in-dash "Satellite
Ready" radio. The dealer will then
quote a price to supply and install the
remaining equipment necessary, usually
the Satellite tuner and antenna.
Without doubt the option of factory or
dealer-installed Satellite radio in your
vehicle has its benefits; a clean installation
with no visible hardware, plus the best
sound quality available being the most
obvious. The price quoted at dealerships
varies depending on the type of equipment,
but expect to pay between $300 to $800.
The good news is that you don't have to
go with a dealer-installed tuner and antenna;
you can purchase aftermarket gear and
install it yourself for great results
and big savings.
Subscription costs: Although there are
many vehicles now available with Satellite
radio as a manufacturer-supported option,
this typically does not include the cost
of the subscription to the service, only
the cost of the equipment. However, the
majority of automobile manufacturers and
dealerships are offering incentives, normally
a three-month trial subscription to the
service with no activation fee.
Can I choose which Satellite radio service?
Unfortunately, exclusive deals made between
automobile manufacturers and Satellite
radio service providers, mean that few
dealerships are able to offer a choice
of Satellite radio services (see chart
below).
Which vehicles offer a Satellite radio
option? The chart below shows which Satellite
radio services each automobile manufacturer
is offering. It’s worth remembering that
not all the models in a manufacturer’s
vehicle range offer Satellite radio as
an option.
Before long I think we will see Satellite
radio become a standard feature in all
new vehicles across the nation, with a
buyer only having to decide on a payment
plan and activation fee. Furthermore,
buyers will have the choice of either
service.
Last updated: August 01, 2005.
| Brand |
XM |
Sirius |
| Acura | Y | N |
| Alamo | Y | N |
| Aston Martin | N | Y |
| Audi | Y | Y |
| Avis | Y | N |
| BMW | N | Y |
| Buick | Y | N |
| Cadillac | Y | N |
| Chevrole | Y | N |
| Chrysler | N | Y |
| DaimlerChrysler | N | Y |
| Dodge | N | Y |
| Fleetwood | N | Y |
| Ford | N | Y |
| Freightliner | Y | N |
| GMC | Y | N |
| Hertz | N | Y |
| Honda | Y | N |
| Hummer | Y | N |
| Hyundai | Y | N |
| Infiniti | Y | Y |
| Isuzu | Y | N |
| Jaguar | N | Y |
| Jeep | N | Y |
| Land Rover | N | Y |
| Lexus | Y | N |
| Lincoln | N | Y |
| Maybach | N | Y |
| Mazda | N | Y |
| Mercedes Benz | N | Y |
| Mercury | N | Y |
| Mini | N | Y |
| Mitsubishi | N | Y |
| Monaco | N | Y |
| National | Y | N |
| Nissan | Y | Y |
| Oldsmobile | Y | N |
| Peterbilt | N | Y |
| Pontiac | Y | N |
| Porsche | Y | Y |
| Saab | Y | N |
| Saturn | Y | N |
| Scion | Y | Y |
| Toyota | Y | Y |
| Volkswagon | Y | Y |
| Volvo | N | Y |
| Winnebago | N | Y |
For more information please visit: http://www.the-satellite-radio-advisor.com
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