THey do not mention the Mustang specifically, but the article indicates across-the-board availability next year. . .

Ford to add Sirius satellite radios across line[SIZE=1]
Deal seen adding 1 million subscribers

NEW YORK - Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Chief Executive Mel Karmazin vowed this week to double subscribers in 2005, and on Tuesday he took a major step toward meeting that target after Ford Motor Co. agreed to factory-install receivers in up to 21 vehicle lines this summer.

The nation's second-largest satellite radio firm — now locked in a fierce battle with rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. — expects to pick up some 1 million subscribers through its deal with Ford. The automobile manufacturer will install Sirius receivers in model years 2006 and 2007.

Ford is planning to install Sirius in a number of popular models, including the Ford Explorer, Lincoln Mark LT, Mercury Mountaineer, and its best-selling F-150 pickup trucks. The auto maker expects about 80 percent of all Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles will have Sirius as a factory-installed option.

"Ford is a very important automotive relationship for us, and we are very pleased that they plan to offer factory installed Sirius in the vast majority of their vehicle lines," Karmazin said in a statement.

Each Ford or Mercury sold with the factory equipped Sirius will include a six month, or longer, subscription. Ford and Sirius said they would detail pricing plans at a later date.

Karmazin, a successful radio veteran and former president of Viacom Inc. who was lured to Sirius in November, said Monday the company beat expectations by ending the year with more than 1.1 million subscribers. The digital radio company told Wall Street it expects to double the number of subscribers in 2005 to above 2 million — a large jump from the 260,000 it started 2004 with.

Contributing to that subscriber growth is radio shock jock Howard Stern, who was signed to a five-year contract worth some $500 million last October. He will join a network with more than 120 channels of commercial-free music, talk shows, news, and sports.

Although Sirius logged a number of accomplishments during 2004, the competition against XM Satellite Radio remains stiff. XM Satellite Radio surpassed its 2004 goal of achieving 3.1 million subscribers, and the company also struck deals with Toyota and General Motors to add even more by factory installing its receivers in new car models.

 

So it's Sirius(Ford) vs XM(GM)

I'd prefer Sirius for their exclusive content.

 

It's about time.

 

Ford Motor Co. will begin offering Sirius Satellite Radio as a factory-installed option in up to 1 million vehicles over two years beginning this summer, the companies said on Tuesday.

Ford in October said it would put Sirius in about 20 vehicle lines but did not set a subscriber target.

Janco Partners analyst April Horace said Ford's 1 million target for its 2006 and 2007 models was a positive sign for Sirius, which ended 2004 with about 1.1 million customers.

"By stating they're going to go into 1 million vehicles and identifying the vehicles, Ford is giving more color and clarity about its satellite radio plans," Horace said.

The auto market is seen as a key growth area for both Sirius and its bigger rival XM Satellite Radio, which both provide nationwide radio services for a monthly fee.

But Horace noted that Ford, an important partner for Sirius, has been slower to install satellite radios than rivals such as General Motors, a major XM partner.

GM had 1 million customers using XM's service by December. Another automaker Toyota Motor Corp. has said it would offer an option to put XM radios starting in 2006.

Sirius shares were up 6 cents at $7.54 in morning trade on Nasdaq where XM stock was up 7 cents at $36.29.

Starting with the 2006 model year, Ford said it was planning to offer factory-installed Sirius on its popular F-150 pickup trucks, as well as on the Ford Explorer, the Lincoln Mark LT and Mercury Mountaineer.

About 80 percent of all Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles will eventually have Sirius as a factory-installed option, Sirius and Ford said.

Pricing will be announced at a later date, the companies said. Sirius has attracted much attention since it signed a deal with controversial radio host Howard Stern in October.

 

Sweet. Now all we need is the 5.4 and the 18" fanblades and we're ready to go

 

But it will not be offered in the '06 mustang as far as I read. Guess on later model years?

 

If they want it on 1 million cars a year I have a feeling the Mustang will get it. Since GM put XM in the Vette, Ford will probably do the same with the Mustang.

 

Since they didn't mention it by name, I don't think the Mustang will get it. I would think they would put their most recognizible car in the article if it was going to be an option for it.