XM NavTraffic, XM Radio's nationwide satellite traffic information service for GPS navigation systems, will add nine metro markets this quarter bringing the total number of markets covered by XM NavTraffic to 31.

XM NavTraffic currently delivers real-time traffic information for drivers in 22 markets from New York to Los Angeles. In the coming months, XM NavTraffic will expand into Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver-Boulder, Milwaukee-Racine, Portland, Providence-Warwick- Pawtucket, Sacramento, San Antonio and Wilmington, DE.

[XM NavTraffic]

Just a couple interesting bits on both XM's and SIRIUS' real-time traffic services. Pioneer (one of the first to offer XM's NavTraffic service) told TWICE that demand for the XM NavTraffic technology was slow initially but appears to be gaining. Field sales director Michael Townsen said, “In the first part of the year the attachment rate was below expectations. But when the Oct. 1 rebate [was launched], we saw an immediate increase in attachment.” The Pioneer mail-in rebate offered $400 off an AVIC navigation system plus the NavTraffic add-on module.

As for the SIRIUS' own real-time Traffic system, Clarion said it expects to offer Sirius traffic later this year.

[TWICE]