Delphi SKYFi Moves Into Wal-Mart; XM Home/Portable Sales Hit 65K
By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 5/19/2003
WASHINGTON — XM Satellite Radio said that Wal-Mart will begin selling the Delphi XM SKYFi radio system in 2,100 store locations this month, expanding to all 2,800-plus stores in the future.
The No. 2 ranked CE retailer in the TWICE Top 100 will sell Delphi's XM home, portable and car stereo solutions. As the Delphi SKYFi has a 60 percent share of XM's total sales, according to Steve Cook, executive VP sales, marketing and customer operations, the arrangement is expected to provide a boost in XM's subscribers.
The announcement by Delphi sent XM shares up 17 percent, according to Reuters.
XM also announced it is rapidly making inroads into the home and portable markets.
At a recent news conference, president/CEO Hugh Panero said 65,000 Delphi boomboxes and home accessory kits have sold to date, indicating strong demand for satellite radio in the home and portable segments. Consumers are also opting to install XM radios in more than one vehicle. Panero said 5,000 XM subscriptions have been sold under the new family plan, which has been in effect for a month. It offers service at $6.99 per month for current subscribers who add extra radios to the plan.
Panero also said Avis would begin offering XM service in 7,000 rental cars in 30 cities, increasing to 24,000 cars by year's end. The service will be rolled out over the next two months.
Regarding the car stereo aftermarket, Cook said the SKYFi has a 60 percent share of XM hardware sales with XM-ready head units and tuners accounting for 20 percent and FM modulators accounting for 20 percent.
XM also announced it received a 2002 Merchandising Vendor Excellence Award from Circuit City.
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