Once upon a time, not so long ago, Cadillac was seen as an old fashioned car company with outdated ideas and products. Over the last few years they have been moving with the times, and now their new warranty program will match or exceed those offered by its German rivals.

General Motors has just announced that later this month, the Cadillac Shield program will be put in place. This is an extensive warranty service which includes oil changes and tire rotation for the first four-years or 50,000-miles, and a five-year, 100,000-miles powertrain warranty, including 24/7 roadside assistance.

OnStar’s Directions and Connections plan is also included for one-year and it now comes with its own smart phone app. Cadillac will also have its own special app, which will help owners locate their car in a parking lot, among other things.

Hit the jump to read the full press release:

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Hyundai is taking a bold step into the world of in-car telematics with their BlueLink system. Much like GM’s OnStar, BlueLink can provide directions, schedule servicing, remotely lock or unlock the car doors, notify emergency services in case of a crash and remotely start the car, with the ability to pre-heat or cool the vehicle based on your preferences.

Other cool (and slightly spooky) features include an automatic slowdown feature in case your vehicle is reported stolen and being pursued by the police, and a feature known as “geofencing” that sends the driver a text message of the vehicle strays outside of a demarcated area. Looks like breaking curfew will be a thing of the past for children of Hyundai owners.

BlueLink will initially roll out on the Sonata and a “youth-focused model” (aka the Veloster) this summer, but will extend to the entire Hyundai range by 2013.

[Source: Hyundai]

Press release after the jump

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Combined with several other big introductions, General Motors announced at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show that it is testing a new OnStar App that will let drivers text and even update Facebook using only voice commands.

Rumors of this new services popped up several months ago, but now GM has made it official. The service is still in the test phase, and uses a voice communications app for Android mobile phones through a Bluetooth connection.

In a preview of this new feature OnStar President Chris Preuss commented that the goal is to keep drivers connected while also keeping them safe, stating that OnStar in no way wants to promote distracted driving.

In addition to this piece of news, GM has also announced that it will offer the OnStar service for non-GM vehicles starting this Spring though a partnership with Best Buy. Several other new technologies are also in the prototype stage, including a vehicle monitoring service that would let drivers see inside and around their vehicle remotely through a PC or smart phone, plus another that would even let you control the temperature and lights in your house through your car.

As a part of a larger plan to grow OnStar, General Motors has announced it will begin offering the service on non GM products. Originally designed as a value-added safety feature, OnStar has grown to include numerous convenience features as well, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation and even the ability to open a vehicle when you’ve locked your keys in it.

Starting this spring, OnStar’s Blue Button-equipped rear view mirror will be offered through Best Buy for $299 plus installation. Plans range in price from $18.95 a month to $199 a year.

“For years, thousands of drivers have asked us to get OnStar in vehicles that didn’t feature it as standard,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president, announcing the new feature at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “With the retail product that we’ve introduced today they certainly can. This move in to the consumer electronics space represents the biggest development in our business model since introducing OnStar as standard across all GM products several years ago.  It represents a quantum leap forward in our plans to grow our business and provide a strong new revenue base for GM and OnStar from which we can further develop our core offerings in the factory-equipped market.”

Features available include turn-by-turn navigation though a live voice, stolen vehicle location, roadside assistance, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a link to emergency services though the red button and, of course, OnStar’s best-known feature, Automatic Crash Response, that automatically calls an OnStar advisor if a crash is detected and can even send emergency services if no on in the car responds.

The retail OnStar service is not only available for new cars from other automakers, but also older models. GM says that the OnStar mirror will work on 99 percent of the 20 best selling non-GM vehicles solve over the last 10 years and has plans to further expand the product’s range.

Official release after the jump:

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How’s this for a little added incentive? In the hopes of attracting more consumers, OnStar is teaming up with auto insurance companies to offer subscribers discounts on their car policies.

Going in their favor is the fact that OnStar’s subscribers are safer drivers and more conscientious on the road. Also in the pro column is that its service helps insurance companies lower loss and reduce insurance claims, as GM vehicles that come with OnStar have a higher chance of recovery. And in case of an accident, OnStar’s operators are automatically alerted and help first responders pinpoint the exact location of the vehicle.

So how does faster response time benefit insurance companies? The faster medical response could equal lower hospital bills, and in a perfect world, the insurance companies will pass those savings on to their customers. GM has already had a few discussions with Liberty Mutual and Century 21, and GMAC Insurance already offers OnStar subscribers a discount based on actual mileage driven. With this program, a kind of “pay as you go” system, OnStar sends GMAC Insurance the subscriber’s vehicle diagnostic report along with the odometer reading twice a year. The insurance company would prorate the premium based on the miles you’ve driven, with discounts starting at 15,000 miles.

When you think about it, the savings from this type of plan would cover OnStar’s subscription cost – it’s $199 per year for the “safety and security” package and $299 for “directions and connections,” along with navigation. And when you buy a new GM vehicle, OnStar is free for the first year, and about 50 percent of these purchasers continue the subscription after the trial period expires.

[Source: Cnet]

OnStar is set to evolve from a safety feature that assists drivers in distress, into an in car infotainment platform, as its latest iteration launches voice text messaging and Facebook integration.

OnStar is looking to re-brand itself under the “responsible connectivity” tagline, an ironic label in light of the fact that social networking while driving will likely lead to more distraction, as users will inevitably concentrate on making flippant Facebook statuses rather than keeping focused on the road and other drivers. The status updates, like the integrated text messaging feature, allows for voice-activated updates, and can allow for users to have their News Feed read back to them, something that could easily result in awkward moments if passengers are in the car.

One good feature are the pre-set text replies such as “I received your text message, but am currently driving”. However, we’re still skeptical about the integration of social media and driving, especially in light of how stigmatized performance driving is in the context of public safety.

[Source: GM]

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With its Sync and MyFordTouch systems, Ford has been winning the in-car technology war against its rivals, but General Motors is set to launch new OnStar features that could change all that. According to a Bloomberg report, OnStar will look to offer several new free services, including innovative voice-to-text technology to help drivers keep in touch with their social networks.

Currently being studied, this new OnStar feature could translate voice messages to text, even allowing a driver to update his or her Facebook status while on the road. In addition, the service could even read updates back to the driver and even reply to messages with one of several preset replies.

Better yet, certain OnStar services could be free, with the system instead linking to a smartphone in the car. (Currently GM offers OnStar free for the first year on most of its products, with a subscription rate of $199 to $299 after that).

OnStar is available on over 40 GM products and boasts 5.7 million subscribers.

[Source: Bloomberg]

After much speculation, General Motors has now confirmed its first project with Google. An updated Chevrolet Volt Mobile App will include a Navigation tab that allows Google Maps to work with OnStar. Using their Google Android smart phone, Volt customers will be able to see the location of their Volt on Google Maps, as well as their location in reference to their car. This setup will work with Google’s voice search function to allow Volt owners to search for a location in reference to the Volt. OnStar can then take over, giving turn-by-turn directions to the destination, once the driver gets in the car. And possibly the best feature; this partnership will also be able to give Volt owners voice directions to the location of their vehicle through their smart phone.

More info about this new Navigation Tab, as well as future plans for the Chevrolet Volt Mobile App will be given at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco, which runs from May 19-20.

The Navigation Tab won’t be available at the launch of the Volt Mobile App (set for this Fall), but will be available on version 2.0. The current version offers functions like showing the Volt’s charge level and range; if it is plugged in; the ability to charge the vehicle or schedule a charging; send text or email reminders to charge the battery; provide info on past fuel economy performance and, of course, remotely start the car.

GALLERY: OnStar Google App

Official release after the jump:

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GM and Google are reportedly working on a deal that would see the integration of Google’s Android mobile phone operating system and GM’s Onstar telematics system.

Potentially scenarios being discussed involve Android phone users being able to use OnStar features outside of their car, while GM vehicle owners can use Android to keep track of service intervals, or in the case of the Chevrolet Volt, data regarding vehicle range and battery charging.

A GM/Google partnership would represent a significant challenge to Ford and Microsoft’s SYNC system, which is primarily an in-car entertainment system, albeit with significant voice activated functions designed to minimize driver distractions.

[Source: Automotive News]

Google and General Motors are reportedly in negotiations to partner on an in-car telematics system that would take aim at Ford and Microsoft’s SYNC system. Rumored to be a derivative of the Android operating system, it would apparently go beyond entertainment and connectivity features and allow owners to unlock and start their cars, something SYNC isn’t capable of doing yet.

One aspect of the potential tie-up is whether GM or Google would take over the GPS navigation systems, as both GM’s Onstar and Google’s Android have their own proprietary navigation systems.

[Source: Trucktrend]

Brad and Jennifer. Ben and J.Lo. OnStar and General Motors. It’s always sad when a power couple breaks up and goes their separate ways. But it looks like OnStar is going to keep custody of a mutual friend.

It turns out that Saab, which GM sold to Dutch sports carmaker Spyker Cars NV in February, will continue to install Onstar in U.S.-market Saabs for an undisclosed amount of time. The relationship between Saab and OnStar starts with the 2010 model year, and offers the same service that was available with GM’s U.S. vehicles: one year free, with the option to renew.

It looks like Saab will really benefit from this split – OnStar is a great tool that can help Saab compete with other brands. But you have to wonder… is this just a rebound relationship or will it stand the test of time?

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

OnStar has produced a new smartphone application providing Chevrolet Volt owners 24/7 connection to their cars.

Compatible with Apple’s iPhone, RIM’s Blackberry Storm and Motorola’s Droid smartphones, the app provides real-time data connection and control over vehicle functions such as programming charge times.

The OnStar Mobile Application retrieves information from the Volt such as battery charge level, odometer readings, miles per gallon and electric-only mileage, and displays them in real time on a smartphone.

Volt owners can receive text or email notifications for charge reminders, power interruptions and when the battery is fully recharged. Owners can also manually program the Volt to recharge at off-peak power usage times to take advantage of lower electricity rates.

Traditional OnStar features such as remote door lock, unlock, horn and light controls, typically available only by calling OnStar’s control center, will also be available for Volt owners through the application.

Volt owners with internet-ready phones other than the iPhone, Storm and Droid will be able to access the application through a mobile browser.

The OnStar Mobile Application will be available for the Volt’s launch. Online demonstrations for the Motorola Droid and Blackberry Storm are available at OnStarMobileDemo.com, while an iPhone demo app is available through the iTunes store.

Gallery: OnStar Chevrolet Volt App

Official release after the jump:

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In a bid to help pump-up auto sales in the month of April, General Motors has just announced a new list of incentives. Called “GM total Protection” the package includes some added GM bonuses as well as a few new items aimed at protecting the buyer.

Two two major incentives are what GM calls Payment Protection and Vehicle Value Protection.

Payment Protection will cover monthly car payments on a financed vehicle for 9 months, in the case the the owner loses his or her job due to the economy. It applies to the first 24 months of ownership and GM will cover car payments u to $500.

As for Vehicle Value Protection, this incentive is aimed at helping buyers out down the road. (Not to mention it will likely keep a GM buyer coming back to GM). The way it works is that after a customer has completed half of a finance contract, they are eligible for negative equity assistance if they purchase a new GM product. In other words, if after 30 months of a 60 month contract you wish to trade in your Impala on which you owe $15,000 (but which is only worth $12,000) GM will ignore the difference – making purchasing another GM product down the line an attractive offer.

The other two incentives in the “GM Total Confidence” program are a 5 year/100,000 mile limited powertain warranty with roadside assistance, as well as one free year of OnStar.

“Our Total Confidence plan is an unprecedented offer that reinvents the ownership experience in an extremely positive way,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “Unlike other programs out there, ‘GM Total Confidence’ provides comprehensive coverage for new vehicle owners – from protecting their new vehicle investment to protecting their family’s income. GM Total Confidence provides customers peace of mind in uncertain times.”

The GM Total Confidence package is available from April 1st to 30th.

For more info visit: www.gmconfidence.com

The boys at Lexus sure must be good at keeping secrets because there wasn’t even a rumor about an all new model from Toyota’s luxury brand.

Lexus unveiled to the press a dedicated hybrid vehicle the HS250h – an entry level luxury hybrid that the company says will get better city fuel milage than the Smart micro-car.

Even more impressive is that it will operate on regular 87 octane gas. Lexus VP Mark Templin couldn’t help but use the opportunity to stick it to the Germans by pointing out how much cheaper 87 octane is than diesel.

The HS250h uses a hybrid powertain with a 2.4 liter engine that produces 187hp.

Lexus has built the HS250h in response to customer demand. According to its research 60 percent of entry level luxury buys would have considered a hybrid if one had been available.

One particularly neat feature is that the on-board LCD screen can show a 180 degree picture of what is ahead of the car – perfect for navigating in tight urban areas.This device has been adapted from the Lexus flagship SUV, the LX570.

The HS250h will come with the new Enform system, wich operates much like GM’s OnStar and even features a stolen vehicle locator.

The HS250h will go on sale this summer.

Lexus also announced that the HS250h is the first of 10 new hybrids Toyota will unveil in the next few years.

Official release after the jump:

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