Lincoln to offer Sirius satellite radio as standard equipment
Ford announced today that all 2008 Lincoln models (MKZ, MKX, Navigator, Navigator L and Mark LT) will come factory-equipped with Sirius satellite radio and six-month prepaid subscriptions. Whether it's Stern, Soundgarden, or Stevie Wonder, Ford's luxo-brand customers will be guaranteed the ability to tune into the programming of their choice as offered by the satellite radio provider as soon as they drive off the lot. Consider it another brand differentiator between Lincoln and the lower-on-the-totem-pole Ford and Mercury divisions. Obviously, Sirius is available on those brands as well, but it's optional, whereas every 2008 Linc is a lock to have it no matter what.
Press release after the jump.
[Sources: Ford, Sirius]
PRESS RELEASE:
Lincoln to Offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio as Standard Equipment
- Starting with the 2008 model year, SIRIUS Radio to be standard Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Navigator L and Lincoln Mark LT. - A six-month pre-paid subscription to SIRIUS is included with each vehicle. - SIRIUS to be factory installed on 23 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle lines by 2008 model year.
NEW YORK, April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) today announced that Lincoln will provide its customers standard factory-installed satellite radio on the Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Navigator L and Lincoln Mark LT beginning with the 2008 model year.
Sirius Satellite Radio today is offered on 22 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Vehicles as a factory-installed option. It will be available on the 2008 Ford Focus later this year, bringing the total to 23. The Lincoln lineup will be the first to include the equipment as standard.
"Every day, SIRIUS Satellite Radio is becoming more popular with our Ford and Lincoln Mercury customers because it allows them to personalize their driving experience," said Cisco Codina, Ford group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "Its growing popularity is part of a broader trend in the auto industry with customers increasingly asking us to pioneer technologies that put them in control of their driving environment."
Nearly 600,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles have already been shipped with factory installed SIRIUS satellite radios. Those numbers are expected to more than double in 2007.
"We are excited about the growth and success of SIRIUS at Ford, and the positive response we've received from both dealers and customers," said Mel Karmazin, CEO, SIRIUS. "SIRIUS' programming continues to enhance the Ford driving experience and we are proud that the Lincoln brand regards us as an important addition to provide all their customers."
For 80 years, the Lincoln brand has been synonymous with luxury, comfort and design. Both news media and the industry at-large voted the 2007 Lincoln MKZ as "Best Premium-Priced Car Interior of the Year" at the 7th annual Automotive "Interior of the Year" awards conducted by Ward's AutoWorld magazine. Lincoln will continue to strengthen this position with SIRIUS as standard equipment.
Lincoln models with SIRIUS radios arrive at the dealership ready to operate with a six-month pre-paid subscription included. This allows the dealer to conduct an in-vehicle demonstration of the SIRIUS service so the customer can immediately begin enjoying their satellite radio service.
About SIRIUS
SIRIUS, "The Best Radio on Radio," delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NASCAR, NBA and NHL, and broadcasts live play-by- play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL, as well as live NASCAR races. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.
SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service, without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music. SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com. SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep(R), Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercury, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country.
Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.
Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming providers, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
akintz 7:50AM (4/03/2007)
While I understand that they want something to differentiate themselves... why Sat radio? Especially with only a 6 month subscription.
So you could assume that out of the three brands, the ones purchasing Lincolns would be more apt to afford/choose sat radio, but why add in something the runs out in 6 months as standard?
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Infinihertz 10:11AM (4/03/2007)
I think that satellite radio could be a differentiator, but it should really be for 12 months. Also, the press release lists the 2008 Focus as a new vehicle to get Sirius as an option. I'm not sure if that makes a ton of sense, especially with Sync coming out for the younger crowd.
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andre 10:56AM (4/03/2007)
of course it does -- car manufacturers get paid for every satellite radio - XM or Sirius - they install -- another source of revenue
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Daniel 11:45AM (4/03/2007)
Maybe they should offer a magnifying glass to make the motor look different from their lower end brethren?
The biggest problem Lincoln has is they use exactly the same engines as the Ford and they only offer a single engine no choice take it or leave it. So a lot of people leave it a go the Cadillac store so they can have some choice in power and fitments. It ain't rocket science!
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carnut 11:46AM (4/03/2007)
Whopdee doo. XM is much better than Siriusly crummy anyway.
Not to mention with XM you can get XMNav Traffic information on your nav (if they support it), and wit Sirius you get... Nothing....
Would have been nice since the new Lincolns do look sharp.
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Bryan 1:44PM (4/03/2007)
Hey carnut, now that you have come out from under your rock, Sirius and XM have merged! I have sirius in my F150 and love it. I think it is great they are making it standard on Lincolns. Why you might ask? Because I had to mount mine and it looks sort of tacky. I rather have it in dash but my 04 was not prewired for that. It only cost 12-13 a month. And if someone can afford a Lincoln, then they can afford to pay for Sirius if they want it. If you dont want to use it, then dont, you still have regular stations. Duh!
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Bryan 1:45PM (4/03/2007)
Oh and while we are on the Lincoln subject, has anyone gone to blueovalnews and read the Lincoln forum for the MKS? From what I have read, we should be seeing it in the next few months!
Check it out!
http://www.lincolnmksforums.com/index.php?showforum=4
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BOB 2:37PM (4/03/2007)
RADIO, SCHMADIO!
Pull the ugly grille off that Navi -- I think I have seen exactly ONE 2007 on the street in LA.
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Gundar 10:33PM (4/03/2007)
Sirius is already available on Mustang. WTF are you talking about?
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BrewDog 7:59AM (4/06/2007)
Big whoopity-do..Sirius Radio? What I want to know is if the 2008 MKZ will offer stability control and Bluetooth like all real luxury cars.
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