FOR RELEASE: Sept. 13, 2005
OnStar by GM Expands Its Industry-leading Service Portfolio With the Only Service That Lets Your Vehicle Tell You How It's Doing Every Month
Detroit -- OnStar announced today it has added a significant and new subscriber service to its industry-leading in-vehicle communications portfolio. The new "only GM" service, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, automatically performs hundreds of diagnostic checks on four key operating systems — the engine/transmission, anti-lock brake, air bag and OnStar systems — in GM vehicles. The vehicle is automatically programmed to send the results via email to the owner each month. The unique email report also provides maintenance reminders based on the vehicle's current odometer reading, remaining engine oil-life and other relevant ownership information.
This new vehicle diagnostic service is offered to eligible OnStar subscribers at no additional charge. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is complementary to its present GM Goodwrench® On Demand Diagnostics service provided by OnStar call center advisors, who perform "real-time" on demand diagnostics checks for subscribers about 27,000 times a month.
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is exclusively for GM customers and enhances GM's commitment to its Total Value Promise. No other manufacturer offers these two unique, valuable and comprehensive diagnostic services to its customers remotely to the vehicle or directly to the customer's home computer.
"OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics demonstrates how GM is leading the way with innovative new products and services that enhance the vehicle ownership experience and give customers more than they expected," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing."OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, which is exclusively for GM customers, enhances GM's commitment to our Total Value Promise. Only GM offers this industry-leading technology and it's available across the breadth of our portfolio."
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics service is available immediately to millions of GM owners of most 2004 model-year or newer OnStar-equipped vehicles that have GM's exclusive Oil-life System and diagnostic capabilities. Offered as an opt-in service, subscribers can enroll at the OnStar website (www.onstar.com) or by simply pressing their blue OnStar button and asking an advisor to enroll them in the service. Once enrolled, OnStar subscribers receive monthly vehicle diagnostic reports covering four key operating systems and recommended maintenance reminders based on the vehicle's current odometer reading. The "real-time" report is sent directly to the OnStar subscriber's computer desktop via email each month, providing customers additional peace of mind when driving in their vehicle.
The report also matches the vehicle's current odometer reading to the GM Simplified Maintenance Schedule so that customers are informed about recommended maintenance services. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics participants receive the added peace-of-mind in knowing the operational status of four key vehicle systems and the convenience of a regular maintenance report — all at no additional cost to their OnStar subscription.
"OnStar is committed to providing unparalleled peace-of-mind to its subscribers by helping keep them safe while driving. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics gives our subscribers added confidence that their vehicles are ready for the road," said Chet Huber, president of OnStar. "By combining OnStar's vehicle diagnostics email service with our in-vehicle GM Goodwrench® On Demand Diagnostics service, our subscribers receive relevant and valuable information about their GM vehicle on their computer or directly from the OnStar advisor while driving."
Approximately 85% of surveyed OnStar subscribers say they value the added peace-of-mind and convenience vehicle diagnostic services provide and these subscribers consider vehicles with such a feature to be reliable, safe, high-quality and high-tech.
In the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies StudySM over half the people surveyed were interested in on demand vehicle diagnostics. Moreover, when asked to allocate a given amount of money toward the features they would like on their next new vehicle, on demand vehicle diagnostics ranked 3rd among the 18 traditional and new features included in the question. The 2005 study is based on responses from more than 17,000 U.S. consumers and the study is designed to measure consumer familiarity, interest and purchase intent for emerging automotive technologies.
The OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics monthly email includes important information such as the status of the vehicle's engine/transmission, anti-lock brake, air bag and OnStar systems as well as the percentage of remaining engine oil-life. The GM Oil-life System is a GM-exclusive technology only available on GM vehicles and is both friendly to the pocketbook and to the environment. The industry recommendation of changing oil every three months or three thousand miles is based on oil quality of the mid-1970s, which has vastly improved since that time. The GM Oil-life System monitors key engine operating conditions. In today's GM vehicles, it is common to safely travel 8,500 or more miles between oil changes by following the system as intended. Because millions of GM vehicles already have this system, it is estimated that more than 100 million gallons of oil could be saved over the next five years, if used as intended.
In addition to OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, OnStar's portfolio of safety, security and convenience services, includes automatic air bag deployment response, emergency services, roadside assistance, GM Goodwrench® On Demand Diagnostics, remote door unlock, driving directions and routing, point-of-interest location, Stolen Vehicle Assistance and hands-free calling.
On a monthly basis (average for May — July 2005), OnStar responds to approximately:
For 2006, OnStar is available on more than 50 GM vehicles including SUVs, light trucks, minivans, crossovers, large and midsize sedans, and small cars. Only GM is committed to offering a full range of vehicles that offer safety protection before, during and, with OnStar, after a crash.
For more OnStar information or to download a high-resolution image of an OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics email, visit http://onstar.internetpressroom.com/pressroom.cfm
About OnStar by GM
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the nation's 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 2005. Over the next several years, OnStar Service will become a standard feature for one year for GM's retail customers in the United States and Canada, covering all segments and prices except for some commercial vehicles. OnStar safety and security services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, and GM Goodwrench On Demand Diagnostics. OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated calls from their vehicle. Hands free calling requires a Hands Free Calling Enabled Vehicle, existing OnStar service contract and prepaid calling minutes. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is available on most 2004 MY and newer GM vehicles delivered after 4-21-04 and equipped with the GM Oil Life System. Not available on Pontiac Vibe and Saab 9-3 or 9-5. Diagnostic capabilities vary by model. A valid email address is required for participation.
Contact:
OnStar
Keith Yaden
313.667.0784 (office)
248.765-3049 (cell)
keith.yaden@onstar.com
Terry Sullivan
313.665.2816 (office)
313.378.8212 (cell)
terry.sullivan@onstar.com
J.D. Power and Associates
John Tews
Director, Media Relations
248.312.4119 (office)
John.tews@jdpa.com
Enrollment
Enrolling in OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is quick and easy. OnStar subscribers can enroll either through our enrollment website (onstar.com/vehiclediagnostics) or by simply pressing the blue OnStar button in their vehicle and talking to an OnStar Advisor. Newly enrolled subscribers will receive their first OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics email report within a few hours after the vehicle is driven following activation for the service.
The OnStar system in the vehicle will continue to send vehicle data to OnStar about every thirty days, depending on driving habits. Although the data call usually is completed within a few minutes, the vehicle ignition must remain in the "on" position during the call. After the data is received, OnStar quickly compiles a customized report and maintenance update based on the current odometer reading and maintenance guidelines from the owner's manual. The report is then immediately emailed to customers who have opted into the OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics service so that they are alerted to any detected problems and know when to take their vehicle in for oil changes and other maintenance procedures. The entire process is completed in a "real time" basis.
Clear, Easy-to-Read Email Report
The email report is clearly formatted and easy-to-read. Each of four key operating systems — engine/transmission, anti-lock brakes, air bag and OnStar — is tagged with a green, yellow or red icon to clearly indicate the recommended action even before the report is read. Other relevant information includes the percentage of remaining oil life, the mileage and corresponding recommended maintenance, the remaining OnStar Hands-free Calling minutes, and the expiration date of the OnStar subscription. Hotlinks within the report open web pages to provide more detailed information and recommendations.
Maintenance Reminders at Your Fingertips
The OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics report links the odometer reading to the GM Simplified Maintenance Schedule so that participants stay informed of recommended maintenance for their GM vehicle even before it's taken in for service.
The GM Oil-life System Saves Money, Reduces Waste
The GM-exclusive Oil-Life System continuously monitors several key engine operating conditions to determine when the oil should be changed. Oftentimes, conditions allow engine oil-life to safely extend well beyond the 3,000-mile oil-change interval that's typically recommended by manufacturers that do not have this innovative technology.
Based on science, the GM Oil-life System is both friendly to the pocketbook and to the environment. The industry recommendation of changing oil every three months or three thousand miles is based on oil quality from the 1970s, which has vastly improved since that time. Today, by monitoring key engine operating conditions, it is common for 2005 model-year vehicles to safely travel 8,500 or more miles between oil changes, by following the GM Oil-life System. Because millions of GM vehicles already have this system, it is estimated that more than 100 million gallons of oil could be saved over the next five years, if used as intended.
Enrollment eligibility
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics service is available exclusively to GM owners of most 2004 model-year or newer OnStar-equipped vehicles delivered after 4-21-04 and equipped with the GM Oil-Life System and vehicle diagnostics capabilities. Diagnostic capabilities vary by model. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is offered at no additional charge as an opt-in service for active OnStar subscribers, who can enroll at the OnStar website (www.onstar.com) or by simply pressing their blue OnStar button and asking an advisor to enroll them in the service. The only requirement for eligible enrollees is an active OnStar subscription and email address.
GM's Simplified Maintenance Schedules Challenge Industry Assumptions
GMOLS technology allows GM and GM Goodwrench dealerships to offer Simplified Maintenance Schedules on most 2004 and newer GM vehicles to simplify maintenance for GM customers and to build long-lasting customer relationships. The simplified schedules are a departure from the typical industry approach of basing maintenance intervals on mileage. Instead of a complex list of different services to be performed at different mileage intervals, GM's Simplified Maintenance Schedules are based on the change oil light/message.
Consumers should check their owner's manual to determine if their 2004 or newer GM vehicle has GMOLS. If it does, a GM Goodwrench dealership can service and reset the system at the vehicle's next oil change. If it doesn't, they should follow the oil change recommendations listed in their owner's manual. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year even if the GMOLS indicator does not come on.
GM Goodwrench® On Demand Diagnostics*
If a vehicle's Check Engine light comes on, a customer can push the blue OnStar button and an OnStar Advisor can run an on demand diagnostic check of the engine. ASE certified technicians are available to advise the customer to continue driving or to find a safe place to stop and wait for Roadside Assistance. If necessary, the advisor can contact a Roadside Assistance provider with the vehicle's exact location and assist the customer in scheduling a service appointment with a GM Goodwrench dealership.
*Available on 2004 MY & newer GM models equipped with the GM Oil Life System. Diagnostics not available on Cadillac Catera, Pontiac Vibe, Saab 9-3 and 9-5 and 2008 Saturn ASTRA. Diagnostic services vary on Cadillac SRX V8, Saturn VUE, ION and L-Series, Chevy Silverado diesel and GMC Sierra diesel. For details, call 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or press your blue button.