“Over the past few months, high-definition radio technology ... has made inroads into the new-car market,” the Washington Post reports.

The paper notes that when Hyundai introduces a premium sports sedan for 2008, it will include HD Radio. As RW Online has reported, Jaguar and BMW also are among automakers that have installed receivers into cars, and Best Buy and Wal-Mart have joined the retail channel.

“In 2006, the number of HD Radio receivers sold was about 200,000,” the Post reports. “That number is projected to reach 1.5 million this year, according to the HD Digital Radio Alliance.”

The Post also noted that “for the first time this year, subscriptions for XM and Sirius are growing, through their partnerships with automakers including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Honda.”