Delphi Offers Portable XM Unit
By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 9/30/2002
NEW YORK — In an effort to expand XM Satellite Radio into the home market, XM teamed up with Delphi, the largest electronics automotive supplier, to offer the first satellite radio tri-mode home, car and portable system.
XM sales and marketing executive VP Stephen Cook explained, "Ninety percent of our volume has been targeted to the car market, but we've had a lot of requests for a home product."
The announcement also marks Delphi's official entry into the CE market. The new Delphi XM Sky Fi Radio will be marketed under the Delphi brand and sold through Circuit City and Best Buy, as well as other stores beginning in October. Delphi will also launch a marketing and advertising campaign for the product at the same time.
The Sky Fi system is said to be the first to allow a single satellite radio receiver to work in home, car and portable settings with only one subscription fee. It also allows users to scroll through a readout of every song title and artist name currently airing. Suggested retail is $199 for a receiver with full home or car kit.
Delphi will sell the system as a basic receiver and remote package for $129 with home and car kits (with antenna and connectors) at $69 each. The portable unit, which resembles a boombox, allows the receiver to slip in and out of a center slot. It comes with a high gain antenna and an AC adapter at $99.
Delphi said Sky Fi Radio is the first entry in what will be a full family of CE products to be sold through retailers. The company said it would ship head units, speakers and amplifiers early next year as well as a Mobile Productivity Center that was previewed at the last CES. The Center is a fully voice-activated hands-free phone center for the car. The driver uses his own cellphone to receive hands-free access to voice mail as well as traffic, weather and news through the Mobile Aria network.
XM announced the Sky Fi Radio at a news conference here, exactly a year since it first launched its service, Sept. 25. XM stated it is on target to reach 200,000 subscribers in its first year and confirmed that its service is now available on 25 General Motors car models as well as other car makes.
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