Starting this summer, Chevrolet
will have some of the fastest vehicles on the roads, and that has nothing to do
with horsepower.
Chevrolet drivers will be enjoying high-speed data - made
possible by a new OnStar 4G LTE connection in the vehicle, running on AT&T’s
network, the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network.
Chevrolet
today announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette,
Impala, Malibu, and Volt would be the first General Motors’ vehicles to come optionally
equipped with OnStar 4G LTE. They will be followed by the Equinox, Silverado,
Silverado HD, Spark and Spark EV. In the Canadian market, OnStar with 4G LTE will
be introduced on the Chevrolet Trax as well. The majority of the 2015 Chevrolet
lineup in the U.S and Canada will have a 4G LTE connection built-in at vehicle
launch. More models will be announced later this year.
“Chevrolet
is expected to implement the broadest deployment of 4G LTE in the automotive
industry,” said Alan Batey, senior vice president of Global Chevrolet. “The
fact that OnStar with 4G LTE will be available in models that range from the
Chevrolet Spark to the Silverado to the Corvette, is indicative of our broad commitment
to deliver more value and convenience through smart technology applications.
This new, purposeful technology solution will make our consumers lives easier
to connect.”
Vehicles Equipped with Built-in
Wi-Fi Hotspot
The 4G LTE rollout will bring a
built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to most Chevrolet vehicles, which allows passengers to
connect their personal devices, such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to
high-speed wireless internet. Each vehicle can accommodate multiple devices at
one time.
“We
know that our customers rely on being connected on a daily, if not hourly
basis, and they expect to be provided with the information and content they
desire with no interruptions,” said Mary Chan, president, GM’s Global Connected
Consumer. “A 4G LTE hotspot that’s built into a car’s architecture will provide
a more consistent and powerful Wi-Fi connection than a smartphone.”
With
OnStar’s 4G LTE connection, the vehicle acts as a mobile hub, giving customers
easier access to apps and services that require a high-speed cellular or data
connection. The vehicle will employ a wireless connection that does not rely on
a brought-in mobile device.
In collaboration with AT&T, the
data connection in the car will be fast – and flexible. Current AT&T
customers will be able to add their vehicle to a shareable bucket of data through
AT&T Mobile Share plans. All drivers can also pay for data as a standalone
option. Additional pricing and data packages for OnStar 4G LTE will be
announced later in 2014.
Chevrolet AppShop Offers Connected
Car Personalization
Chevrolet
MyLink will offer consumers an enhancement with the built in AppShop, available
on select 2015 Chevrolet models in the U.S. and Canada. AppShop will benefit
from the embedded 4G LTE connection.
Chevrolet
AppShop is accessible through an icon on the MyLink screen that allows owners
to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle, then
organize, update or delete them as needed. Available apps will connect drivers
to vehicle data, music, news, weather, travel information and more.
“The
built-in 4G LTE connection will allow our vehicles to be updated with the
latest software and apps,” said Chan. “This means that the driver’s vehicle
infotainment systems can keep getting better after purchase as customers can
continue to add on and customize their features.”
An
initial list of planned apps announced today includes Vehicle Health, iHeartRadio,
Priceline.com, The Weather Channel, NPR, Slacker Radio, TuneIn Radio,
Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Glympse and Kaliki.
OnStar’s 10th Generation
to Debut
Chevrolet’s
4G LTE launch coincides with the 10th hardware generation of OnStar, a service that
debuted in GM vehicles in 1996. The upgrade will allow for voice and high speed
data services.
“We
are focused on constantly improving the OnStar service so that the system
continues to remain a trusted value-add for GM drivers,” said Terry Inch, chief
operating officer, OnStar. “4G LTE will enable the most powerful OnStar
connection ever.”
OnStar
Advisors currently respond to approximately 185,000 calls every day or more
than two calls every second. OnStar is standard across the 2014
Chevrolet lineup. The OnStar RemoteLink
Key Fob Services smartphone app, which allows owners to lock or
unlock doors, activate the horn and lights, and remotely start a
properly-equipped vehicle, is included for five years for properly equipped Chevrolet
vehicles in the U.S.
About OnStar LLC
OnStar, LLC (OnStar) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC (“GM”).
Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture
involving OnStar, Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd (SGM) and Shanghai
Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC)), OnStar serves more than 6.5 million
subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China. OnStar is a provider of connected
safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology.
OnStar's key services include automatic crash response, stolen vehicle
assistance, remote door unlock, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle diagnostics
and hands-free calling.
