April 12, 2006
XM Canada signs exclusive multi-year distribution agreement with Honda Canada to factory-install satellite radio
TORONTO, April 12 /CNW/ - XM Canada (TSX: XSR.SV), the number one
satellite radio service in the country, announced today an exclusive multi-
year agreement with Honda Canada Inc. to factory-install XM Canada radios in
Honda and Acura models starting with select 2007 model year vehicles and
expanding to a wider range of products for the 2008 model year. Honda Canada
is the country's fifth largest automaker, with sales of more than 150,000
vehicles for 2005.
Beginning this fall, all 2007 Acura MDX and TL models will come standard
with factory-installed XM Canada satellite radios with three months'
complimentary XM Canada service. Honda Canada will expand the availability of
XM Canada across the Honda and Acura lineup over the next few years.
Canadian Acura and Honda vehicles equipped with XM will engage owners
with up to 100 channels of Canada's premium satellite radio service, including
the deepest commercial-free playlists, NHL, PGA and Major League Baseball
play-by-play game coverage, groundbreaking news, as well as the biggest names
in music, comedy and entertainment.
"This new partnership with Honda Canada represents an important milestone
for the rapid growth of XM Canada satellite radio, giving us a huge boost in
penetrating Canada's listening audience," said Stephen Tapp, XM Canada
president and COO. "Honda buyers demand quality and innovation and that's what
this partnership is about - providing consumers with the best possible
in-vehicle entertainment experience."
"Offering a high level of personalization in vehicles is just one part of
Honda's strategy to bring innovation and advanced technology features to each
Honda and Acura customer," said Honda Canada Executive Vice President, Jim
Miller. "Acura TL customers will be first to enjoy enhanced driving enjoyment
when their satellite radio selection is broadcast in CD quality from the
digital sound system, a standard feature in every TL."
Honda Canada offers Canadian consumers a full line up of leading safety
and fuel efficient vehicles across its Honda and Acura brands. As part of
Honda's "Safety for Everyone" commitment, 10 of Honda's 2006 models have been
awarded the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA)
5-star frontal impact crash-test rating, the most of any brand tested. Honda
has also won several 2006 EnerGuide Awards for most fuel-efficient vehicles.
Canada's best selling car for eight consecutive years is the Honda Civic.
The Honda Civic and Ridgeline for 2006 were awarded Best New Car and Truck of
the Year by the Automobile Journalist's Association of Canada, Motor Trend and
the North American Car and Truck Association. The 2006 Acura TSX was selected
Best Sports Sedan by Car and Driver and Kiplinger's selected the 2006 Acura TL
as Best in Class.
Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings (CSR) Inc. (TSX: XSR.SV), the first
company to offer satellite radio in Canada, operates as XM Canada(TM) through
its subsidiary Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. CSR creates unique Canadian
content to be broadcast in Canada and the United States and has an exclusive
Canadian licence from U.S.-based XM Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR), the
leading satellite radio provider in the U.S. with more than 6.5 million
subscribers.
CSR, through XM Canada, offers listeners up to 100 channels for Canada's
lowest monthly subscription fee - $12.99. XM Canada offers the most
commercial-free music and the most NHL(TM) game, PGA TOUR(TM) and MLB(TM)
coverage, and news, talk, sports and children's programming across Canada. XM
Canada launched its French and English satellite channels for all of Canada
and the United States to hear on November 22, 2005. After next season, XM will
become the exclusive provider of NHL games on satellite radio. To find out
more about Canadian Satellite Radio Inc., visit our website at
www.cdnsatrad.com. To subscribe to XM Canada online or for more information
about XM Canada's programming line-up and radio choice, visit
www.xmradio.ca.
about Honda Canada Inc.
Honda is the world's preeminent maker of engines for automobiles,
motorcycles and power equipment. With 124 manufacturing facilities in 28
countries worldwide, Honda now attracts nearly 20 million customers annually.
Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline, Civic and Pilot, and the Acura
CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario. For more information,
visit
www.honda.ca.
%SEDAR: 00022901E
For further information: or to schedule an interview, please contact: XM
Canada media contacts: Toronto: Richard Rotman,
rrotman@wilcoxgroup.com,
(416) 203-6666, ext. 2219; Vancouver: Jason Mercier,
jmercier@wilcoxgroup.com, (604) 488-1100, ext. 226; Honda Canada media
contact: Sandy Di Felice,
sandy_di_felice@ch.honda.com, (416) 287-4730 or
(416) 453-6505
XM CANADA
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