XM has created a dedicated automotive marketing group, Radio World reports (via MediaBuyerPlanner). XM says 2006 is a staging year for volume growth in 2007-08, with annual factory installations of its radios expected to double in the next two years.

XM veteran Steve Cook becomes EVP of automotive, a new position. Cook had been EVP of sales and marketing. Cook will focus on XM's automotive strategic partnerships, which include General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Nissan; those companies account for approximately 60 percent of the U.S. automotive market, according to XM.