As part of a limited time promotion, Infiniti will be offering consumers 3-years of free XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic service on the redesigned 2008 Infiniti QX56. All 2008 Infiniti QX56 models come with XM Satellite Radio and the Infiniti Navigation System (which features XM NavTraffic) as standard equipment.
To support the kickoff of the 3-year service offer, Infiniti has developed an integrated marketing program that includes television, print, online and billboard advertising.
Earlier this year, XM announced that every 2008 Infiniti model will have XM Radio available as a standard, factory-equipped feature. XM NavTraffic is currently available on the 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan, and will be available on the all new 2008 G37 Coupe (which is the new hotness, coming in August) as part of Infiniti's Nav package.
looks like many are missing the signifigance of this deal. This will be many more cars/SUV's than the Mercury/Sirius 3 year deal. And with the NavTraffic its got to be more lucrative.
How many Infiniti's get sold in the US?
Anyone?
I'm sure it's nice and all, but doesn't the uncertainty surrounding the merger sort of make the "3 years" a little iffy as a 'pro'?
I don't expect either company to fold if it doesn't go through and Sirium (Xirius?) will definitely honor the service agreement, but I equate it to the uncertainty surrounding Vonage in their slap fest with Verizon. I had to think long and hard before I actually signed up with them.
>>>> I'm sure it's nice and all, but doesn't the uncertainty surrounding the merger sort of make the "3 years" a little iffy as a 'pro'?
>>>> I don't expect either company to fold if it doesn't go through and Sirium (Xirius?) will definitely honor the service agreement
Three years post-merger, should this nonsense occur, every last Sirius and XM radio will still be in use. In fact, it is doubtful whether any dual-capable receiver will have been installed in an OEM vehicle within 3 years.
My prediction: Three years after a merger the only things that will have changed from the consumers point of view will be:
a) The two services will offer fewer channels between them (one set of decades channels will be eliminated to save money, one blues channel, one set of classical channels, some rock channels, etc.).
b) Retail receivers are more expensive (they'll have to be - the term of a subscription isn't going to change as a result of the merger and they'll definitely cost more). OEMs will be afraid of the dual capable units until they're proven.
c) The price on the basic level of service that most people want is higher than it is today.
You'd have to be nuts to believe the merger is going to improve the service.