DETROIT – Owners of most new 2011 Chevrolet,
Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles will soon be able to control key vehicle
functions from their smart phones, thanks to the power of OnStar.
Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC are developing brand-specific mobile
applications that will leverage OnStar technology to allow vehicle owners
to activate all of the functions available on a traditional vehicle key fob
– remote start, horn and lights and door lock/unlock – from their
smartphones. This means drivers will no longer have to be within a
requisite distance, or even have their keys with them, to control these
functions on their vehicles.
“Giving our customers control of their vehicles with smart phone
application technology is a key advantage of OnStar’s in-vehicle
connectivity,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “This technology
empowers drivers to make decisions about their travels well before they
enter the vehicle, meaning their full attention can stay where it needs to
be – on the road ahead.”
For example, say someone is racing to catch a flight and realizes at
the gate that he forgot to lock his vehicle. OnStar’s mobile app technology
allows him to sign into his Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick or GMC app and send
a remote lock signal to his vehicle, giving him the peace of mind to go on
with his trip knowing his vehicle is secure.
Or, for example, a family attending a baseball game on a hot summer day
could remotely start their vehicle as they are leaving the ballpark, so the
vehicle is cooled to a comfortable temperature by the time they reach it.
In addition, the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC apps will leverage
OnStar’s unique connection to the vehicle to provide key diagnostic
information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life,
current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon
. The diagnostic information is current as of the last vehicle start,
giving OnStar subscribers an up-to-date health report of their vehicle
anytime they need it.
Important vehicle information, such as current odometer reading,
vehicle VIN and OnStar account number also will be readily accessible
within the apps. And should OnStar subscribers need assistance with
something that the mobile apps don’t provide, they can one-touch dial to
specially trained advisors, who are available to assist customers 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
The OnStar mobile app services will be available for the vast majority
of vehicles in the 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC portfolios,
including the just-launched Chevrolet Cruze and Cadillac CTS Coupe, and are
currently functional on the iPhone and Android systems. The Chevrolet,
Cadillac, Buick and GMC mobile applications will offer a variety of other
features tailored specifically for each brand’s customers that will be
revealed in totality when the brands begin bringing their apps to market in
the months ahead.
“We’re working aggressively to bring the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and
GMC applications to market as soon as possible,” says Joel Ewanick, vice
president, GM Marketing. “Because we know that each brand’s customers have
different tastes, wants and needs, the apps will be very specifically
tailored to offer them the services they value most, leveraging these
innovative OnStar features as a compelling mutual foundation.”
OnStar and Chevrolet announced the auto industry’s first working
smartphone application for the Chevrolet Volt at the 2010 Consumer
Electronics Show. The Volt mobile application is a unique app that will be
available to customers in tandem with the launch of the vehicle, as
previously announced.
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