MINI USA and SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced on March 27th, that SIRIUS will be available as a factory installed option with a lifetime subscription on the all-new 2007 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops produced, beginning this June. The lifetime subscription is transferable with the car from one owner to the next.

Looks interesting… apparently it is only a dealer installation, but it is an agreement with ToyotaCanada that could blossom into more down the road. It is just an announcement now, and installations will start in June 2007, with the exact vehicles it will be available in to be announced later.

We at Backstage have been saying for some time that OEMs are driving the video project at Sirius.  Today, Dodge announced that they will be offering factory-installed Sirius with video product in it’s 2008 Magnum line.  Regardless of whether you see video as a bandwidth waster, or a dream come true….it’s on it’s way.  Joe promised it, and Mel’s delivering.

PR link.

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Mitsubishi Motors North America and SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced that Mitsubishi will offer SIRIUS as a standard feature or factory option on four models this fall, and throughout the entire 2008 Mitsubishi model line, available in the United States next year.

This fall, SIRIUS will be standard equipment on the model year 2007 Galant RALLIART, Endeavor SE and all Raider LS and DuroCross double cab pickup trucks. On most other trim levels of the Galant, Endeavor and Raider and on the all-new Outlander, SIRIUS will be available as a factory option. All SIRIUS-equipped vehicles will include a six-month, pre-paid subscription.

“Mitsubishi is excited about adding SIRIUS to more of its vehicle lines as a standard feature or a factory option,” said Mike Krebs, Vice President of Product Strategy at Mitsubishi Motors North America. “Our goal is to offer Mitsubishi customers the very best in-vehicle experience possible, and we believe that SIRIUS’ unique programming greatly enhances our quality offering.”

“Mitsubishi has been a great partner in the growth of SIRIUS, and we are very pleased that they have decided to expand the number of vehicle lines offering SIRIUS,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. “Now, more Mitsubishi drivers will be able to experience for themselves the best programming available on radio.”

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Comprehensive factory installation program launching with 2007 model year vehicles

Virtually all Ford vehicles will be equipped with SIRIUS by 2008

TORONTO – (July 13, 2006) – Ford of Canada and SIRIUS Canada today announced an exclusive long term agreement that will make SIRIUS Satellite Radio receivers factory-installed equipment in virtually all Ford vehicles sold in Canada by 2008. Starting with 2007 model year vehicles, Ford of Canada will offer the factory-installed satellite radio receivers bundled with a subscription to SIRIUS Canada’s premium 110 channel satellite radio service. The majority of the Ford Motor Company brands in Canada - Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and Aston Martin - are covered by the agreement.

Multiple Ford of Canada vehicle lines are being targeted to have SIRIUS Satellite Radio in the 2007 model year including Ford Fusion, Mustang, Five Hundred, Freestyle, Ranger, Explorer, Sport Trac, Expedition, Expedition Max, Edge, Lincoln Navigator, MKZ, and MKX. By 2008, virtually all Ford Canada vehicles will be equipped with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

“We are thrilled to start Ford of Canada’s factory program for SIRIUS and excited about establishing a long term agreement,” said Mark Redmond, President and CEO, SIRIUS Canada Inc. “SIRIUS offers customers an unparalleled radio experience and it will now be even easier for Ford drivers in Canada to experience SIRIUS Canada’s premium content featuring the most channels and most commercial-free music.”

“This announcement is great news for Ford customers,” said Bill Osborne, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada. “SIRIUS Canada is the country’s leading satellite radio provider and we look forward to its Canadian debut in an unprecedented number of Ford of Canada vehicle lines.”

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Here are some photos from the show. I was there Friday, the first day the show was open to the public. I had a great time. Sirius and XM were everywhere. It was a nice thing to see. I took more pics of the radios, etc…, they are here.

Here is the Sirius booth that was selling their product. They are giving $20 off at the show with a new subscription.

Another one….

Mongo hanging out on 11th Ave.

View from outside the Javits Center.

The Sirius booth, and yes, it’s in the free part of the show!!

Sirius will be standard in every Kia vehicle, starting in 2008 for MY2009 Kias. The agreement goes through 2014, with an option to extend it three more years to 2017. It should be noted that this is an odd development, given that Hyundai owns Kia, yet is exclusive with XM.

Read all about it here