MONTVALE, N.J. and NEW YORK, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mercedes- Benz, USA and SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) plans to significantly increase the rate at which they install SIRIUS radios in Mercedes-Benz vehicles to more than 80 percent for 2007, with plans to continue building to 90 percent for 2008 and over 90 percent by 2009. The growth in the installation rate far exceeds earlier estimates of 50 percent that were set less than two years ago.
The luxury automaker also plans to offer SIRIUS as standard equipment on two additional models this year the S-Class and CLS. The new models will become available with SIRIUS at dealerships later this year. SIRIUS is currently standard in Mercedes-Benz's SL-Class and CL-Class model vehicles, and all AMG and 600 model vehicles.
"Mercedes-Benz customers enjoy SIRIUS' unique radio programming, including commercial-free music, news, information and the best sports programming," said Bernard Glaser, general manager of product management for MBUSA. "It is the perfect complement to the Mercedes-Benz driving experience."
"We are happy to see SIRIUS go standard across so many Mercedes-Benz vehicle models. Mercedes-Benz continues to be a great partner in driving the growth of SIRIUS," said Mel Karmazin, Chief Executive Officer of SIRIUS. "With these increased installation rates, now more Mercedes-Benz drivers will get to experience for themselves The Best Radio on Radio."
Mercedes-Benz continues to offer SIRIUS in its vehicles complete with six months of SIRIUS service.
About SIRIUS
SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NASCAR, NBA and NHL, and broadcasts live play-by- play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL, as well as live NASCAR races. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.
SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service, without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music.
SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.
SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country.
Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming providers, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
SIRIUS Satellite Radio; Mercedes-Benz, USA
