Deliver Your News to the World

Does Your Car Speak Spanish?


WEBWIRE

Complete Array of OnStar Safety and Security Benefits Available in Spanish

DETROIT – With the Hispanic population approaching 45 million in the United States, GM and OnStar are strengthening their commitment to provide subscribers the best in-vehicle communications and assistance service available by launching an industry-first service enhancement – OnStar en Espaňol.

OnStar, the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services, first introduced Spanish-speaking advisors in 2003. The new system enhancement, available on most OnStar-equipped Model Year 2006 vehicles at no additional cost, provides subscribers a more holistic Spanish experience including voice-recognition capabilities and hands-free calling. Supplying a simple, convenient user experience in Spanish to this fast-growing market segment alleviates uncertainty for subscribers who prefer Spanish, and offers additional peace of mind especially in emergency situations.

This situation became real for Spanish-speaking OnStar subscriber, Albert Nuno, when his wife Katherine, who was eight months pregnant, went into labor. “I didn’t know how to contact the emergency room to let them know we were on the way,” said Nuno. “Every minute was crucial because the baby was losing oxygen. Being able to communicate with the OnStar advisor in Spanish allowed me to worry about other things besides a language barrier.”

“OnStar has always been a customer-driven innovation since its introduction 10 years ago. Moving from a single to multi-language service was a natural evolution for us while still keeping the technology simple for subscribers. All they need to do is press the blue OnStar button,” said OnStar’s Vice President Tony DiSalle. “In 2005, more than 20 percent of all new vehicles sold to Hispanics were GM products. The OnStar launch of Spanish language services helps OnStar and GM to continue to enhance the customer experience and provides a unique differentiator for GM vehicles.”

In addition to Spanish-speaking advisors and voice-recognition capabilities, OnStar’s Spanish services include:

OnStar Hands-Free Calling – Access to voice-activated, hands-free calling that is fully integrated into the vehicle offering a safe, more convenient alternative to a hand-held cell phone while driving. Our shared minutes plan, the America’s Choice Plan with OnStar, lets subscribers share their Verizon Wireless plan minutes between their cell phone and their OnStar in-vehicle calling.

OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics – OnStar sends a monthly e-mail to your computer providing diagnostic reports on key operating systems in your vehicle, maintenance and other relevant vehicle ownership information.

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation – Gives drivers with vehicles equipped with ABS and OnStar 7.0 hardware simple and affordable turn-by-turn voice-guided directions letting them keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. This service, announced in early February 2006, will be available in approximately 1-million GM cars and trucks in Model Year 2007.

OnStar currently has more than 4-million subscribers along with more than 900,000 participants receiving an e-mail from their vehicle as part of the OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics program launched in September 2005. Over 75 percent of OnStar subscribers say they would prefer to have OnStar in their next vehicle.

For more information on receiving OnStar en Espaňol or signing up for OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, just press the blue OnStar button and ask for a Spanish-speaking advisor, or visit www.onstar.com/espanol.

About OnStar:
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services using wireless technology and the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network. OnStar is available on more than 50 GM models for 2006. One-year of OnStar service will be a standard feature for GM’s retail customers in the United States and Canada, covering all segments and prices except for some commercial vehicles. One year OnStar safety and security services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location assistance, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, and OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics. Hands-Free Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated calls from their vehicle. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.



WebWireID11835





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.