How do you say lost in Mandarin?
GM claims it started the connected car revolution 20 years ago with the launch of OnStar. To be fair, OnStar continues to deliver features that are, arguably, still unmatched by any other automaker. Whether this is good or bad is an ongoing fierce debate in safety circles.
OnStar is the platform for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Opel and Vauxhall to introduce elements for a range of sometimes distracted drivers. It’s a global safety and marketing issue. The so-called blue button brand delivers services in four continents, 18 countries, 10 languages and 13 time zones, with more than a billion customer interactions.
While emergency and security services remain key to OnStar, GM has expanded it to “offer customer-driven” solutions for GM and Maven customers. By integrating technology, including the largest deployment of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G LTE in the industry, GM is providing apps that create personalized “on-demand experiences.”
There are more than 7 million subscribers in North America, Europe, China and South America. OnStar offers a range of standard, subscription and a la carte services such as the RemoteLink mobile app, Advanced Diagnostics, Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, AtYourService, OnStar Smart Driver and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. In 2015, OnStar surpassed 1 billion customer interactions, topped more than 2 million 4G LTE Wi-Fi equipped-vehicles, and debuted in Opel/Vauxhall.
With a multi-channel approach, the connected tether expands beyond the vehicle. Customers can stay connected on the web with Owner Center and with their mobile device. Following below are some of the connected vehicle options from GM and Maven.
Distracted Driving Enablers
4G LTE
GM has more 4G LTE vehicles than any other automaker, with nearly 3 million Wi-Fi enabled vehicles on the road connected by OnStar 4G LTE. Drivers can use 4G LTE to connect up to seven mobile devices to a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. In the future, the 4G LTE platform will allow customers to update systems after vehicle purchase.
Remote Vehicle Access
The OnStar RemoteLink mobile app has 2.5 million active users in North America, Europe and China. The app is used more than 10 million times every month to remotely start, lock and unlock vehicles, get vehicle data, and send directions to the car. During Q1 of 2016, the app was used for more than 50 million interactions.
E-Commerce and Personal Concierge
Available round-the-clock via an OnStar advisor or the RemoteLink mobile app, OnStar AtYourService provides customers with merchant and retailer offers tied to points of interest (Big Brother here – they are tracking your clicks, locations and destinations – editor). To date, customers have opened more than 600,000 coupons offers from participating partners, including Dunkin Donuts, Parkopedia, ExxonMobil, Groupon. and more. Additionally, more than 10,000 hotel reservations have been booked using Priceline via AtYourService.
Vehicle Health Management
Every month 5 million customers receive a Vehicle Diagnostics Report providing them with a comprehensive evaluation of their vehicles’ key operating systems. Soon, customers will have access to Proactive Alerts, which will notify them of potential vehicle component issues before performance is impacted.
Ride- and Car-Sharing
Those who don’t own a GM vehicle now have access to OnStar services through recently launched urban mobility solutions. Maven, a new car-sharing brand that’s launched in Ann Arbor, MI, New York City and Chicago, has 1,000 registered users since opening up services. Working together with Lyft, GM also launched Express Drive, a short-term rental program that makes vehicles available to Lyft drivers at “affordable rates.”
Technology Experts
In 2012, GM was one of the first auto companies to deploy a team of Connected Customer Specialists to dealerships. Today, GM has more than 750 Brand Connection Centers at dealerships where staff is trained to educate customers on how to use their connected vehicle services. Customers can call infotainment customer support at 1-855-4-SUPPORT any time to ask questions about their vehicle’s increasingly complicated technologies.
See AutoInformed on:
- OnStar Commercial Link – Vehicle Tracking and Management
- GM OnStar Telematics Now in Mexico
- OnStar Aftermarket Mirror – $299 – at Best Buy Next Week
