DETROIT – General Motors said today that it plans to build 1.55 million vehicles with factory-installed XM Satellite Radio in 2006.
"This will be the largest number of GM vehicles with XM Satellite Radios to be built in a single calendar year," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice-president, vehicle sales, service and marketing, in a release.
GM built 1.4 million vehicles with XM in 2005 and 1.17 million in 2004.
"GM was out in front of the satellite radio movement and our customers have benefited enormously. We equip more GM vehicles with XM than any other manufacturer," said LaNeve.
For model-year 2006, nearly 90% of GM’s U.S. retail models will offer factory-installed XM as either standard equipment or an option.
This type of automotive commitment will help XM Canada as it launches before Christmas sometime.
GM was the first automaker to offer satellite radio when it introduced XM as a feature of various Cadillac models in 2001.
"GM has been a key partner in growing the XM subscriber base to more than five million subscribers today," said Hugh Panero, president and CEO, XM Satellite Radio.
