TROY, Mich. (April 5) — Delphi Automotive Systems’s Delco Electronics division and CD Radio will jointly design and market a radio capable of processing digital signals sent via satellite.

An emerging technology, satellite radio will broadcast 100 channels of a variety of music — without commercials — or other programming directly to vehicles from satellites. Users will need special radios and special antennas that either adhere to or are incorporated in a vehicle’s rear window.

The advantages include uninterrupted coast-to-coast of high-quality audio.

Delphi Delco is among the first original equipment manufacturers to commit to producing the AM/FM/Digital radio satellite receiver.

CD Radio is one of two companies in the U.S. with a licence to broadcast digital satellite signals. Beginning in late 2000, CD Radio will offer 50 channels of commercial-free music and 50 channels of news, sports, weather, and entertainment. Users pay a subscriber fee for the service which CD Radio estimates to be about $9.95 a month.