Ford Plans To Begin Factory-installation of Sirius Radio Units In 2006

Detroit-based Ford Motor Co. [F] today announced that it is expanding the availability of Sirius Satellite Radio [SIRI] significantly by committing to make it a factory-installed option on up to 20 vehicle lines in the 2006 and 2007 model years. Sales should rise with the factory- installation option, since it does not force customers to wait for the Sirius unit to be installed before they can drive home in a newly purchased vehicle.

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln thus far have been slow to rollout the factory-installation of the units, in contrast with General Motors‘ [GM] strong and early commitment to Washington-based XM Satellite Radio [XMSR]. Ford and its Mercury and Lincoln brands until now have offered Sirius as a dealer- installed option on just nine models. However, the pace will pick up a bit this fall as four additional models – Ford Escape, Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and the all-new Mercury Mariner – will offer Sirius as a dealer-installed option. Sirius is currently available on the Ford Explorer, Sport Trac, Expedition and Thunderbird, the Mercury Mountaineer, the Lincoln LS, Aviator, Navigator and Town Car as a dealer-installed option.

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