LinksWell will offer SiriusXM capability for the first time, starting in November.
Customers who own any of LinksWell’s Generation 5 Tesla Style radios will be able to receive an over-the-air (OTA) update to render the radio satellite radio capable (but purchase of a SiriusXM tuner is required).
All Generation 5 LinksWell radios ship with a special “pigtail” cable to connect to a SiriusXM tuner.
For the OTA update, dealers and consumers may connect to their radio’s WiFi via smart phone, hot spot or a shop/home Internet connection. LinksWell then provides a link to connect to its server.
LinksWell Vice President Walt Detlefsen said, “We have a number of customers that have refused to purchase our units due to the fact that we have not been, ‘SAT Ready.’ Most SiriusXM subscribers have had the option to download the SiriusXM app, but that only works if you are in an area that has cell service.” In Canada, particularly, where cell service can be spotty, many consumers want the option of built-in SiriusXM, he said.
He expects Gen 5 radio sales could increase as much as 20 percent with the new SiriusXM capability.
