Warning: Declaration of plugin_findreplace::addPluginSubMenu() should be compatible with mijnpress_plugin_framework::addPluginSubMenu($title, $function, $file, $capability = 10, $where = 'plugins.ph...') in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-content/plugins/find-replace/find_replace.php on line 17

Warning: Declaration of plugin_findreplace::addPluginContent($links, $file) should be compatible with mijnpress_plugin_framework::addPluginContent($filename, $links, $file, $config_url = NULL) in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-content/plugins/find-replace/find_replace.php on line 17
OnStar: Helping You Find A Dozen Donuts And Hotel Room? | DrivingSales News

OnStar: Helping You Find A Dozen Donuts And Hotel Room?

January 5, 2015 0 Comments

Onstar650x400

General Motors has had its OnStar service available for some time, but its about to change significantly.

OnStar was originally a roadside assistance service which enabled GM owners to have a way to reach out and contact professional help incase of a disabled vehicle or other urgent situation. It was essentially a specialized lifeline that gave motorists piece of mind. In the case of an accident, if the passengers of the vehicle weren’t able to call for assistance, OnStar would sense the deployment of the airbag and send out signals indicating the GPS location and condition of the vehicle to OnStar call centers that would then be more able to manage the situation and aid the motorist.

What they’re doing next represents a large leap for in-car technology.

Scheduled to be unveiled at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is a slew of new OnStar capabilities. Among new updates those are Driver Assessment, Maintenance Alerts as well as a new feature aptly called “AtYourService.” The driver assessment feature allows motorists to grant the OnStar system the ability to assess their driving habits and skills. The system is completely voluntary and does serve a purpose outside of learning about your driving abilities. The main benefit for consumers is that Progressive, the large insurance company, has agreed to potentially offer discounts to safe drivers. That level of driver safety would be determined by an assessment of the OnStar driver data.

The program will be available on all 2016 GM vehicles as well as on what Gizmodo called “most” of the 2015 GM fleet as well as certain vehicles as far back as 2013. The new OnStar will also offer maintenance alerts. This will give motorists the opportunity to know which parts of their vehicle will need service in the near future before it becomes urgent. This information is available using the OnStar system, however, email and text updates about needed service will also be available.

While the driver assessment and maintenance alerts will prove useful for GM owners, the “AtYourService” feature is by far the most innovative OnStar update. Essentially, as GM owners use OnStar to navigate the road, General Motors will partner with businesses to help give those seeking directions information about nearby offers. An official release on the subject on January 4th reads, “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.” Some of the merchants who have already elected to take part of this program include Dunkin Donuts and Priceline.com.

This announcement of upgraded in-car technology comes on the heels of the announcement from GM earlier this year that they will be offering built-in 4G LTE internet in select vehicles. We reported previously that General Motors would begin offering this high-speed web connection in around 30 models by late 2014 or early 2015. That mobile internet service is slated to cost anywhere from $5 to $50 per month. That premium is in addition to the cost of OnStar, which typically runs from $20 to $30 per month.

The question for dealers is how will consumers accept these new innovations? In the case of the “AtYourService” feature, will motorists like the opportunity to hear about local deals from reputable merchants, or feel that something adjacent to ads has crept into their OnStar service? Do you think this innovation will open the door widespread ads served to drivers while they drive?

About the Author:

The DrivingSales News team is dedicated to breaking the relevant and the tough stories affecting car dealers. Have questions for DrivingSales News? Reach the team at news@drivingsales.com.

    Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/pg4b1yzvrqqo/domains/test.drivingsalesnews.com/html/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 399