A recent Washington Times article points out that XM satellite radio is now focusing some of it's marketing might towards auto-show attendees (who can number between 600,000 and 1.3 million depending on the show) with an interactive booth that looks like an XM-branded radio tower, giving people a chance to test-drive XM.

Attendees can listen to XM using the latest satellite radio hardware and gadgets or hop into the carlike listening booths, where attendees can hear XM channels as they "drive" with the help of a television screen that simulates driving down the road. The exhibit then directs attendees to different manufacturers' booths that have at least one vehicle at the show in which XM is activated in their cars, such as GM, Volkswagen, Honda and Nissan.

The auto-show strategy, which will put XM in at least 21 shows in the next three years, hopes to build the number of subscribers through new-car purchases.

XM's new exhibit was first seen in November at the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, then at the Washington D.C. Auto Show in December, the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show a couple weeks back, and at North American International Auto Show in Detroit which just ended yesterday.

Orbitcast will be at the New York International Autoshow so we'll have some pics from the XM Booth and the Urban Tuner Tent for everyone to see.

XM's pulling out the big-guns with a host of several notable music, sports, talk and news personalities in the XM booth during the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Beginning Today (January 6) through Saturday, January 8, the XM Performance Stage, located in the XM booth (CES Booth #4604), will feature interviews, live performances and fan "meet-and-greets" from numerous celebs.

You'll be able to listen to Opie & Anthony LIVE from CES, today and tomorrow, 1-3PM EST (10AM-12PM PST) on XM 202. Today's show will host Ted Nugent and other Special Guests. Tomorrow's show will include Penn Gillette, Jay Mohr & George Wallace.

Other celebs of note are Cal Ripken, Jr., Greg Maddux, Ludacris, DMC from Run-DMC, Al Jarreau, Vince Neil, "Weird Al" Yankovic and Sophie B. Hawkins.

Click this entry to see the whole celebrity line-up and schedule.

Well, that answers that question. XM Satellite Radio just announced that a press conference will be held in the XM Satellite Radio booth (CES
Booth # 4606) in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at 12:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, January 5, 2005.

Press conference highlights will include new product and partnership
announcements, new technology advancements, and current subscriber numbers (sure to exceed expectations just as Sirius' did).