XM Satellite Radio today announced that Nissan North America, Inc., has chosen XM to supply satellite-delivered data and telematics services, such as in-vehicle messaging and XM NavTraffic, (which delivers current traffic information) to properly equipped Nissan and Infiniti vehicle navigation systems. This is a long-term deal for a minimum of 5 years.
Nissan has relationships with both Sirius and XM, though rumor has it that these agreements are set to expire in 2007. Is this an exclusive deal? No. But it makes things more difficult for Sirius to expand its relationship with Nissan going forward.
Nissan currently offers XM radios as an accessory option on all models of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles (18 models in total), including the Nissan Sentra, Altima, Maxima, Quest, 350Z Coupe, Murano, Armada, Pathfinder, Frontier, Xterra, and Titan, as well as the Infiniti FX35/45, G35 Sedan, G35 Coupe, M45, Q45, and QX56.
This represents a major milestone for XM, as they've dedicated significant resources to the development of XM NavTraffic (amoungst others) over the last two years. Nissan signing on for integrated data and telematics is big. Very big.
No start date has been set yet, but rumor has it that the first Nissan vehicles with integrated data and telematics services will be offered for the 2007 model year.
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