NEW YORK -- Sirius Satellite Radio announced its service will be available in a range of rental cars from Hertz beginning in December at major airport locations in California and Florida.

The satellite radio units will initially be available in Ford Taurus, Windstar, Expedition, Explorer, Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis models. For an extra $5 per day, customers renting in Florida and California can drive a vehicle with a Sirius radio installed, and receive 60 channels of commercial-free music and 40 channels of news, sports and entertainment nationwide.

Sirius and Hertz plan to target potential users of the new program with co-marketing and direct mail campaigns, along with Sirius signage at Hertz rental locations. Sirius and Hertz plan to expand this program to additional markets in the United States.

"We are thrilled that Hertz has selected Sirius as its satellite radio provider," said Joseph P. Clayton, president and CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio. "We are also looking forward to expanding our availability to additional Hertz markets and providing Hertz customers with the best in-vehicle programming available."

"Bringing Sirius Satellite Radio to Hertz customers this year marks another first in the industry," said Brian Kennedy, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Hertz. "Sirius takes the guess work out of finding high-quality music, information and entertainment when a customer drives a Hertz rental for business or pleasure, and it's a perfect fit with our other service-oriented innovations."