A few weeks ago, we told you about Mercedes' idiotic move to extend their exclusive contract with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Today, Mercedes is announcing that SIRIUS will now be offered as a standard feature on all 2007 model-year SL-Class and CL-Class vehicles, as well as all AMG and 600 model vehicles.

In addition, Mercedes has stated they plan to extend SIRIUS as standard equipment to more models in the future, as well as continue to offer the satellite radio service as optional equipment in all Mercedes models.  According to Paul Halata, president of Mercedes-Benz USA, "Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing its customers with the very best features in a luxury performance automobile, so it is only natural that we would want to continue to make SIRIUS available... we believe that SIRIUS' unique programming, including commercial-free music, news, information and the most comprehensive sports coverage in radio, enhances the overall driving experience for our customers and underscores our commitment to quality."

Sorry Paul, it doesn't.  It just pisses me off, because until someone can prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that SIRIUS is better than XM Satellite Radio, I should have the option to choose either one, straight from the factory.  Now if SIRIUS would like to become an eMercedesBenz sponsor, that's another story ;)

You can check out SIRIUS' full press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz to Offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio as Standard Feature

NEW YORK and MONTVALE, N.J., Nov. 17

SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI - News) and Mercedes-Benz USA today announced that they have extended their exclusive relationship to September 1, 2012, and that the luxury automaker plans to offer SIRIUS as a standard feature on select 2007 model year vehicles, beginning in 2006.

Initially, Mercedes-Benz plans to offer SIRIUS as a standard feature on all 2007 model year SL-Class and CL-Class vehicles, and all AMG and 600 model vehicles. Mercedes-Benz also plans to extend the number of models with SIRIUS as a standard feature in the future. SIRIUS is available as either standard equipment or a factory option on Mercedes-Benz vehicles, with volumes expected at 250,000 vehicles over the next two years, a figure representing approximately 50% of Mercedes-Benz sales.

"This is an exciting development in the SIRIUS Mercedes-Benz relationship that will benefit future customers of one of the finest luxury brands in the world," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. "Not only are we extending our exclusive relationship through 2012, but for the first time ever, SIRIUS will be offered as a standard feature on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Integrating the best in radio programming with the gold standard in performance and luxury is the ultimate combination of quality in-vehicle entertainment, and we are very pleased that Mercedes-Benz drivers will be able to enjoy this benefit for years to come."

"Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing its customers with the very best features in a luxury performance automobile, so it is only natural that we would want to continue to make SIRIUS available," said Paul Halata, President and CEO Mercedes-Benz USA. "We believe that SIRIUS' unique programming, including commercial-free music, news, information and the most comprehensive sports coverage in radio, enhances the overall driving experience for our customers and underscores our commitment to quality."

Mercedes-Benz offers SIRIUS with a bundled subscription included in the price of the feature.

About SIRIUS

SIRIUS delivers more than 120 channels of the best commercial-free music, compelling talk shows, news and information, and the most extensive sports programming to listeners across the country in digital quality sound. SIRIUS offers 65 channels of 100% commercial-free music, and features over 55 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95. SIRIUS also broadcasts live play-by- play games of the NFL, NHL and NBA and is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL and NHL.

SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are distributed by Alpine, Audiovox, Brix Group, Clarion, Delphi, Directed Electronics, Eclipse, Jensen, JVC, Kenwood, Magnadyne, Monster Cable, Pioneer, Russound, Tivoli and XACT Communications. Available in more than 25,000 retail locations, SIRIUS radios can be purchased at major retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and RadioShack. SIRIUS is also available at heavy truck dealers, truck stops and travel centers nationwide.

SIRIUS radios are currently offered in vehicles from Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep®, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Scion, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo. Hertz currently offers SIRIUS at major locations around the country.

Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to find a SIRIUS retailer or car dealer in your area.

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, 2004 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 partners, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.

O-SIRI

Media Contact:

Jim Collins
SIRIUS
212-901-6422
jcollins@siriusradio.com

Analysts:

Paul Blalock
SIRIUS
212-584-5174
pblalock@siriusradio.com

Michelle McKinnon
SIRIUS
212-584-5285
mmckinnon@siriusradio.com


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