from the WSJ today..

[SANguru]

time for an XM retrofit. Sounds like a firmware upgrade on the NAV too

Clear Channel to Give
BMWs Free Traffic Data
By JENNIFER SARANOW
September 7, 2006; Page D2

Clear Channel Communications Inc.'s Clear Channel Radio plans to announce today that it will provide real-time traffic information for some of BMW AG's 2007 BMW models with a new twist: The data will be included with the price of the navigation system and won't involve subscription fees. Currently, drivers have to pay subscription fees of up to roughly $10 a month to receive information such as traffic-jam locations, accidents and road closures on a vehicle's navigation system.
BMW models that will come with traffic data starting this month and later this fall include the 3.5 and 6 Series and X5, M5, and M6 models. Among other models gaining traffic data for the 2007 model year, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. is providing real-time traffic information to navigation systems on the 2007 Acura RDX, MDX and TL; the 2007 Lexus LS 460 and LS 460 L and the 2007 Infiniti G35 and 2007 Nissan Altima models. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. will be providing real-time traffic data for navigation systems in the 2007 Dodge Nitro, Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Wrangler, the first DaimlerChrysler AG Chrysler Group vehicles to get real-time traffic information.
Until now, XM traffic data have been available just on the Acura RL and Cadillac CTS. BMW is the first auto maker to offer Clear Channel Radio's Total Traffic Network data in the U.S. Chrysler Group is the first auto maker to announce it is offering Sirius's real-time traffic data for one of its models.
There is new evidence that auto makers can spur sales of their expensive navigation options if they include real-time data at no charge. According to a study released this month from J.D. Power & Associates looking at what kind of emerging technologies consumers want in their next new vehicle, 28% of respondents said they were likely to purchase a navigation system priced at $1,500. By comparison, if real-time traffic information were offered free as part of the $1,500 navigation system, 44% of respondents said they were likely to purchase the navigation system.
So far, BMW is the only auto maker offering real-time traffic data without an additional subscription as a way to boost sales. Still, consumers aren't getting the service free since it is generally built into prices. The optional navigation systems on the 2007 3 Series, 5 Series and X5 models cost $100 more than they did on the 2006 models. On the 5 Series, navigation is now $1,900, up from $1,800.
Write to Jennifer Saranow at [email protected]1
URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115760134421456150.html

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[pseto]

I look forward to having this in my e92 whenever it'll be delivered. Seems like NAV will be more of an 'everyday' thing now that traffic is included (assuming you live in a city that's covered by RTTI).

[IFlyX5]

The normal cost for RTT is $10/month x 48 months = $480, but BMW only raised the price $100. That's not bad at all.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by IFlyX5

The normal cost for RTT is $10/month x 48 months = $480, but BMW only raised the price $100. That's not bad at all.

I thought RTTI was free over-the-air and works like some of the stations that give you the name of songs, artists, call letters, etc.

XM Traffic subscription is about $10/month

[xx3]

Originally Posted by pseto

I thought RTTI was free over-the-air and works like some of the stations that give you the name of songs, artists, call letters, etc.

XM Traffic subscription is about $10/month

This is how it works in europe. I don't know if there are any FM stations here that offer TMC, besides the satellite radios...