Ford To Offer SIRIUS Radio In 2006 Models

Ford will offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio as a factory-installed option targeted for up to 20 Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicle lines for 2006 and 2007 model years.

Ford Motor Company today announced that it is expanding its availability of SIRIUS Satellite Radio as a dealer-installed option, and is targeting up to 20 vehicle lines for factory installations overthe next two years.

Ford, Mercury and Lincoln now offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio as a dealer-installed option on nine models.  Beginning this fall, this offering will be expanded to four additional models – Ford Escape, Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and the all-new Mercury Mariner.  The feature is currently available on the Ford Explorer, Sport Trac, Expedition and Thunderbird, the Mercury Mountaineer, the Lincoln LS, Aviator, Navigator and Town Car. 

Over the next two model years – 2006 and 2007 – Ford and Lincoln Mercury plan to offer SIRIUS as a factory-installed option on up to 20 vehicle lines.

“With longer commutes and heavier traffic volume, people are spending more time than ever in their vehicles,” said Phil Martens, Ford group vice president, Product Creation. 

“Soon, more Ford, Lincoln and Mercury customers will have the opportunity to further enhance their time in the vehicle with SIRIUS Satellite Radio,” he said.

SIRIUS provides listeners with over 120 channels of premium programming, including 65 commercial-free music channels and over 55 channels of news, traffic, weather, comedy, original entertainment and comprehensive sports coverage.  In addition to broadcasting all NFL games live, plus a full schedule of college football games, beginning in January of 2006, SIRIUS will also be the only place to listen to famous radio personality Howard Stern.

“Ford is more than an innovative brand. Its name is a part of automotive and American history,” said Joseph P. Clayton, CEO of SIRIUS.  “Naturally, we are thrilled to see that Ford is adding more SIRIUS availability to its great lineup of quality vehicles, and that they are moving forward to offer SIRIUS as a factory-installed option.”

According to Clayton, demand for satellite radio – and SIRIUS – is increasing, and the company expects to reach one million subscribers by the end of 2004.

The recent introduction of live NFL games and college football, as well as relationships with the NHL, Maxim magazine, Eminem and the announcement that Howard Stern will be joining SIRIUS in 2006, are yet other examples of the company’s innovative content strategy to differentiate itself from the competition.