Friday, March 17, 2006

Volkswagen of America Signs Exclusive Agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio

Text from Volkswagen of America.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced that it will offer SIRIUS Satellite Radio as its sole satellite radio provider for vehicles sold in this country through 2012.

Volkswagen will exclusively offer SIRIUS beginning with the introduction of its 2007 model year vehicles, and expects to equip approximately 80% with SIRIUS satellite radio receivers. Additionally, Volkswagen will offer three months of complimentary service.

“There is no doubt that the growth in popularity of satellite radio has been phenomenal and that SIRIUS is at the forefront of offering listeners an incredible breadth of creative programming,” said Steve Keyes, public relations general manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The partnership of these two great brands makes our products more desirable to our customers.”

“We are very excited about Volkswagen of America’s decision to make SIRIUS the exclusive provider of satellite radio in Volkswagen and Audi vehicles in the U.S.,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS . “Volkswagen of America has been an excellent non-exclusive partner during the past few years, and we are very pleased that they have decided to emphasize their belief in SIRIUS and increase their level of commitment through this new, exclusive agreement. We look forward to working closely with them in the future to offer their customers the best in-vehicle entertainment available.”

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen of America and its affiliates employ approximately 3,000 people in the United States and are
responsible for the sale and service of Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen products through retail networks comprising in total more than 900 independent U.S. dealers.

About SIRIUS

SIRIUS delivers more than 125 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 67 music channels available nationwide. SIRIUS also delivers 61 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NBA and NHL and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL.