Automotive Industry Trends
GM - A Leader In Telematics OnStar® In-Vehicle Communication Service
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OnStar®, a revolutionary in-vehicle communications technology established by General Motors (GM), is the most comprehensive and user-friendly Telematics service and communications package available in the industry today. Initiated in 1995, OnStar is a collaboration between General Motors, EDS and Hughes Electronics Corporation. GM delivered its first product and service to the market in the fall of 1996 for the 1997 Cadillac DeVille, Seville and Eldorado models.
Today, with more than 2 million subscribers, OnStar is the leading provider of Telematics services in the United States. It's in-vehicle safety, security and information services use Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, cellular technology, high-powered antennas, and the Internet to link the vehicle and driver to the OnStar Call Center. This service, available in the United States and Canada, offers drivers real-time, personalized help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
OnStar equipped vehicles include features such as driving directions, emergency assistance, up-to-the-minute stock quotes, email and more. Other services offered include:
- Air Bag Deployment Notification: This feature signals OnStar if the air bags have been deployed and contacts the driver to offer assistance.
- Remote Diagnostics: A diagnostic test of the vehicle's engine can be run while the vehicle is being driven.
- Remote Door Unlock: Sends a signal to the car's computer to unlock the doors.
- Roadside Assistance: Locates vehicle and sends help.
- Stolen Vehicle Tracking: Advisors can locate a stolen vehicle by satellite and contact the police.
- Emergency Services: Ability to locate the vehicle and contact help.
- OnStar® MED-NET: Forwards medical history and allergies to Emergency Services personnel.
- Accident Assist: After an accident, an advisor can contact your insurance company, police and other emergency services, if requested.
- Ride Assist: If the driver is unable to drive, an advisor can contact a taxi or family member.
- Route Support: Can guide you to any destination.
- Information/Convenience: Uses a five million listing database to provide location information.
- Personal Calling: Voice-activated nationwide wireless calling service.
- Virtual Advisor: Voice-activated access to web-based information.
- Personal Concierge Services: An advisor can plan entire trips, make reservations, even get tickets to sold-out events.
OnStar comes standard on select models and is currently available as an added feature on a wide variety of vehicles. New vehicle customers equipped with OnStar automatically receive a one-year subscription package at no charge. The vehicles that currently come equipped with this technology include:
- Acura
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Oldsmobile
- Pontiac
- SAAB
- Saturn
The North American market for automotive Telematics is poised for tremendous growth. According to analyses by Frost & Sullivan in a report entitled North American Automotive Telematics Market, the total market rose from $60 million in 1999 to $380 million in 2000. Double-digit growth could bring this market to $7 billion in 2007.
The future possibilities for this technology are endless. Some future features might be:
- "intelligent" gas station pumps, which would recognize the car as a Cadillac that needs premium gasoline and then robotically fill the tank
- downloading movies from a satellite to your on-board TV, paging; faxing, sending messages by e-mail or voice mail
- buying groceries or other goods; remote activation of home systems such as lighting and security; listening to a book or college course
- video Internet phones, and more.
The promise of the intelligent vehicle becomes more real with each model year. GM, the champion of this new and developing technology, has definably differentiated their products from those of their competitors with this technology. Telematics and OnStar are changing the way people live and drive.