Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    General Motors Shows Off New OnStar Features

      OnStar is making the connected car more of a reality


    The past few years have seen Consumer Electronics Show (CES) become a stage for automakers and suppliers to show off new technologies and even vehicles. Alongside the Chevrolet Volt sneak peek, GM also announced three new technologies for their vehicles.

    First up is Chevrolet announcing a new piece of tech that will be able to predict and notify drivers when certain components need some attention. This is possible by the OnStar 4G LTE system that newer Chevrolet vehicles are being shipped with. Sensors in the vehicle will send data to GM where servers will be able to predict when a part will fail and notify the owner via email, text message, in-vehicle alerts or through the OnStar RemoteLink smartphone app.

    “This is a new chapter in our pursuit to provide customers with convenience and the best overall service in the industry. Using our innovative OnStar 4G LTE connectivity platform, we can actively monitor vehicle component health and notify our customers if covered vehicle components need attention. Nobody else in the industry is offering this,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, General Motors senior vice president of Global Connected Customer Experience.

    The system will be available in Chevrolet vehicles in the 2016 model year. For the time being, the system will only be able to battery, starter motor and fuel pump; though the company is planning to add more parts in the future.

    Along with this change, GM also announced that its OnStar RemoteLink app will get the ability to send a monthly report to owners, outlining key details such as the vehicle’s tire pressure, oil life, and other key maintenance information.

    Next, OnStar announced AtYourService. This feature allows drivers to find local deals and make connections with merchants from their car.

    Launching this year in the U.S. and Canada, AtYourService has teamed up with the likes Dunkin’ Donuts, Priceline.com, RetailMeNot.com, and Entertainment Book to provide deals and information. If a driver using OnStar asks for directions to a point of interest and it has applicable deal or connection to one of its partners, an OnStar advisor can send the info right to the vehicle.

    “On the heels of our 4G LTE connectivity launch last year, OnStar will continually roll out powerful, simple ways to bring daily-relevant connected vehicle features like AtYourService to complement our foundation of safety and security technology. We will continue to innovate in ways that make our customers’ time on the road more efficient and more convenient,” said Mark Lloyd, consumer online officer for OnStar.

    The last announcement is for a new service that will track your driving driving habits during a 90 day span. After 90 days, OnStar will send feedback about how you drive and how you can become a safer driver. If you happen to have Progressive as your insurance provider, you can send that information to lower your insurance rate. Now the important item about this system is that you have the choice to opt in.

    "The driver assessment is meant to help people better understand how they drive and give them feedback on how to be better, smarter drivers. This is the first time we can use actual driving behavior to deliver valuable important feedback to customers who want this information. This new service truly shows the power of the connected car. The beauty of this program is that control is in the hands of the customer. If they wish to participate, we’ll inform them of their driving behavior and then they’re able to choose if they want to share their information with Progressive,” said Greg Ross, director of Business Development and Alliances, Global Connected Consumer Experience, General Motors.

    Source: General Motors

    Press Releases on Page 2


    Chevrolet Opens New Chapter for Driver Assurance

    • Customers will soon drive vehicles that can predict future service needs

    DETROIT – Chevrolet is using advanced connected vehicle technology to give customers an unprecedented level of assurance in their vehicles later this year. This industry-leading prognostic technology can predict and notify drivers when certain components need attention – in many cases before vehicle performance is impacted.

    The predictive technology is initially focused on the battery, starter motor and fuel pump, all critical to starting and keeping a vehicle running. Additional vehicle parts and components are expected to be added in future model years.

    “This is a new chapter in our pursuit to provide customers with convenience and the best overall service in the industry,” said Alicia Boler-Davis, General Motors senior vice president, Global Connected Customer Experience. “Using our innovative OnStar 4G LTE connectivity platform, we can actively monitor vehicle component health and notify our customers if covered vehicle components need attention. Nobody else in the industry is offering this.”

    Building on the 15-year history of connected vehicle technology through OnStar, the prognostic service relies on OnStar 4G LTE to provide data streams from sensors within the vehicle. When a customer has enrolled their properly equipped vehicle in this service, the data is sent to OnStar’s secure servers and proprietary algorithms are applied to assess whether certain conditions could impact vehicle performance. When indicated, notifications are sent to the customer via email, text message, in-vehicle alerts or through the OnStar RemoteLink smartphone app.

    This service is expected to be available on select 2016 Chevrolet Equinox, Tahoe, Suburban, Corvette, Silverado and Silverado HD models equipped with certain powertrains, followed by more Chevrolet vehicles throughout the 2016 model year.

    Prognostic capability is the latest advancement in a suite of services that will keep Chevrolet customers informed from the first day of ownership through many years into the future.

    Another Advancement in Vehicle Diagnostics

    Chevrolet customers with an active OnStar connection today can monitor tire pressure, oil life and other key data points via the OnStar RemoteLink smartphone app or through a monthly diagnostic email sent from the vehicle.

    In 2016, Chevrolet is adding a new capability, which allows customers to check these key data points continuously, without having to wait for their monthly email. Keeping a vehicle’s tires filled to the recommended pressure and keeping vital systems well-maintained can lower fuel costs and extend a vehicle’s life.

    Together, Chevrolet’s advanced diagnostic and prognostic capabilities will keep owners more informed and empowered to make every trip confidently through years of ownership.

    OnStar AtYourService Brings Commerce to Connected Cars

    • Offers hotel booking and delivers incentives from restaurants and retailers

    DETROIT – At the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, OnStar will preview AtYourService, a commerce and engagement offering that connects drivers with retailers and merchants on their drive, providing information, convenience and money-saving values tied to their specific destinations. In addition, OnStar advisors can now help locate hotels and book reservations.

    AtYourService will roll out in the U.S. and Canada, where OnStar annually receives more than 35 million requests for directions and supports more than 53 million mobile app interactions. Building on these direct connections and adding more daily relevance for subscribers, OnStar has signed initial relationships with partners like Dunkin’ Donuts and Priceline.com.

    Digital coupon providers RetailMeNot and Entertainment Book will supply retail and shopping coupons. Parkopedia will serve data for parking nationwide, and Audiobooks.com will supply e-book content to drivers on the road. When a driver requests directions to a point of interest that has an applicable deal or connection to one of its partners, the OnStar advisor can send the special offer from that merchant.

    “On the heels of our 4G LTE connectivity launch last year, OnStar will continually roll out powerful, simple ways to bring daily-relevant connected vehicle features like AtYourService to complement our foundation of safety and security technology,” said Mark Lloyd, consumer online officer for OnStar. “We will continue to innovate in ways that make our customers’ time on the road more efficient and more convenient.”

    Said Scott Hudler, vice president, Global Consumer Engagement for Dunkin’ Donuts: “We can’t think of a more exciting and targeted way to connect with our guests than when they are in their vehicles looking for a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant. We’ll bring value to GM drivers while driving those consumers to our stores with instant incentives.”

    Also beginning in early 2015, active subscribers with the full-service plan will be able to book a hotel through an OnStar advisor. Partnering with Priceline.com, OnStar advisors can provide information on availability, cost, amenities, and ratings, then book a hotel reservation and send directions to the vehicle.

    Subscribers can give advisors the general location where they would like to stay and advisors can select from Priceline’s participating hotels in that area. After booking a hotel, customers receive an email confirmation of their reservation. The service provides a simple way to find on-the-go accommodations while drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. In a pilot program, nine out of 10 subscribers said they would book their last-minute hotel needs through OnStar again.

    “We were seeing a growing segment of our business, with Priceline users making same-day reservations for hotels while driving in their cars,” said Randy Schartner, president of The Priceline Partner Network. “Making Priceline hotels available to drivers through OnStar in a safe and secure way is great way for Priceline consumers and GM drivers to become one and the same.”

    This new service will continue to grow over time with new capabilities and more partnerships.

    “By delivering relevant connections, interactions, offers and services based on our subscribers’ needs, we are laying the foundation for a truly cohesive experience,” said OnStar’s Lloyd. ”Our hope is that OnStar AtYourService will help transform the way businesses and consumers interact in connected vehicles.”

    OnStar to Offer Driving Feedback; Customers can Seek Insurance Discounts

    • Progressive® Insurance to offer discounts for consenting driver data use

    DETROIT – Beginning this summer, OnStar will offer customers the opportunity to sign up for a new service that can tell them how well they drive and provide some customers an opportunity to seek discounts from Progressive Insurance.

    The new connected vehicle service will allow OnStar customers a chance to enroll in a program that provides a detailed driving assessment at the end of a 90-day evaluation period. The assessment, provided only to OnStar customers who sign up for this service, will reveal how the customer performed in important driving metrics, comparing that customer against an aggregate of other anonymous enrolled customers. Driving tips will be provided by OnStar based on a customer’s individual assessment characteristics.

    After the assessment, some customers can choose to share their driving data and evaluation information with Progressive through its Snapshot® program, potentially leading to discounted insurance offers. This information sharing will be entirely voluntary following advanced consent from customers.

    “The driver assessment is meant to help people better understand how they drive and give them feedback on how to be better, smarter drivers,” said Greg Ross, director, Business Development and Alliances, Global Connected Consumer Experience, General Motors. “This is the first time we can use actual driving behavior to deliver valuable important feedback to customers who want this information. This new service truly shows the power of the connected car.

    “The beauty of this program is that control is in the hands of the customer,” said Ross. “If they wish to participate, we’ll inform them of their driving behavior and then they’re able to choose if they want to share their information with Progressive.”

    Progressive® Insurance is the first insurance company that will use OnStar data to evaluate actual driving behavior, subject to explicit customer consent, to offer driving-based insurance discounts.

    “We are looking beyond traditional expectations of car makers and insurance providers, toward helping people be smarter drivers,” said Dave Pratt, general manager of usage-based insurance at Progressive. “Providing drivers with feedback benefits consumers by making them more aware of their driving behavior, saving them money and keeping the roads safer. This program makes it easier than ever for consumers to take advantage of the latest in-car technology and the leading usage-based insurance program.”

    The smart driver assessment program is expected to be available for all 2016 GM models, most 2015 models, and select 2013 and 2014 models, starting this summer. The program is only expected to be available for U.S. drivers at this time.

    OnStar customers currently are able to receive low mileage discount offers through other insurance companies. These low mileage programs, however, do not require the collection or use of driver assessment data.

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • VW has announced the eight-generation of the Golf model with the most powerful Golf ever built for the North American market. The 2025 Golf GTI and Golf R offer a compelling blend of performance, technology and driver engagement and will be offered in the following trims per model: 2025 Golf GTI S trim SE trim Autobahn trim 2025 Golf R Black edition The Golf GTI has a fresh look with enhanced technology. The exterior has new headlights, front bumper, illuminated logo and a standard lightbar. The interior gets significant upgrades with a new freestanding 12.9-inch touchscreen. This system has the latest operating functions as shared in the ID.Buzz and ID4 offering faster, better software with a more intuitive layout. Physical buttons replace the haptic switchgear on the steering wheel for improved functionality. The mid-level GTI SE trim gets upgraded seats as standard, these black ArtVelours seats from the EU market high-performance GTI Clubsport. The engine is a 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 241 horsepower mated to a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. Standard features available across all trim lines: standard navigation Dynamic Road Sign Display Wireless App-Connect on the base S trim IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology remains standard across the board consists of the following: Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance) Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring) Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor) Rear Traffic Alert Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System) Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency) The 2025 Golf R is more exciting than ever, featuring a 13-horsepower increase delivering a total of 328 hp for the 2025 model year. Paired with the dependable 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission this moves the Golf R quickly delivering the power to new 19-inch forged alloy wheels that are 20% lighter than previous wheels. The driving purist can get the 2025 Golf R with the Euro Style Package that offers a sunroof delete, fabric seats and Akrapovic titanium exhaust for enhanced engine acoustics. This package reduces the Golf R's weight over the standard Golf R. Pricing and availability for the 2025 Golf GTI and R models will be announced closer to launch. View full article
    • Very Cool Video, VW honored an unused and dead program for a woman who bought her Cabriolet with Pickup in Europe and shipment back to the U.S. Yet with her pickup of her 1987 Cabriolet in the Netherlands and driving it around on vacation, she decided to stay till more than 37 years later she decided it was time to come back home to the U.S. and VW honored her with bringing her car home.  Very cool Story.  
    • Kia, Hyundai, Genesis make superior EVs at 800V true platform compared to the dated 400V Tesla platform. I honestly if Idiot47 figures out a way to pull back the IRA, Tesla is going to Hurt more than Moron Musk realizes. We have had way too many auto companies for the last Decade and the move of the Dodge van to Chrysler only with Chrysler becoming a Van only product line and no real new products on the horizon, time to Kill Chrysler, move the van back to Dodge. Ram/Dodge/Jeep have been plundered for decades for the profits they generated to keep other brands in Europe going. I agree with you that Stellantis needs to kill off half of their brands to clean up to a far more manageable portfolio. Infiniti has been on life support for the last Decade and Nissan I stick with it that it could be bankrupt by the end of 2025. A day of reconning is coming for the auto industry and I would not be surprised to see a few of the current name plates dead in the industry by 2030.
    • Yikes.  I don't know.  I still haven't been in the Chunnel.  That link between Denmark and Sweden that is part bridge and part tunnel is something.  The bridge across the Strait of Messina has challenges left and right.  California High Speed Rail is like a flickering bulb. This is akin to going to another planet!
    • Nissan has the new Kicks at a competitive price, that could do well like the Trax has.  There is a new Murano.  But the Titan is gone (not that they sold many anyway), the Altima is dying next year so that is a lot of lost volume, I think they killed or are killing the Versa, and the Z doesn't sell at all (too expensive).  And a lot of those Sentra, Kicks, Rogue sales are probably rental fleets.  It is just a junk brand.   Infiniti sales are down 50% in the past 5 years and they are going to let Infiniti dealers move into Nissan dealers to survive.  But Infiniti is in even worse shape than Nissan because they can rely on rental fleets and low credit buyers like Nissan does. No higher margin luxury sales, no high margin pick up sales, Nissan is a mess. Stellantis also a mess, way too many cost cutting measures and they build junk cars and too many brands to feed.  You don't need Dodge and Chrysler, Alfa and Maserati, Citroen and DS, Opel and Peugeot, etc.  It is all overlap, they could kill half those brands.  Terrible product planning too, way too many expensive vehicles and they don't make a competitor to the Corolla or Rav4 or Model Y for the global market and those are the top 3 selling vehicles in the world.  No Ford Maverick or Toyota Tacoma competitor at Ram.   And the Stellantis fan boys want to blame the decline in the company on Tavares killing the Hellcat and the V8 Chargers, but Hellcat vehicles are low volume and they pretty much exhausted that market already.  They could bring back a Hellcat Charger and they'd probably sell like 10,000 a year when the company has capacity to build like 7 million vehicles a year.  The company is clueless on what buyers actually want, and they haven't put R&D into new product in forever and trashed the reputation of all their brands. And I think Tesla is next, once the $7500 goes away, and the west cost liberals stop buying them because they don't like Elon, I can see their sales dropping because that product line is stale as hell now, and the Cybertruck is already out of reservations, so those are about to be a sales bust.   Unless Elon cons the government to buy 100,000 Teslas per year.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search