What's this then?
Vauxhall is to roll out its OnStar connected technology next month with the new generation Astra amongst the first to feature it. The technology will spread out across the range, from the Karl to the Cascada, as a standard feature on select trims and optional on others.
Featuring an emergency response system, vehicle diagnostics and a Wifi hotspot Onstar is already a success in markets such as the US (where it has been in operation for 20 years), Canada, Mexico and China.
Is this the eCall thing that Europe recently legislated for?
Sort of. In the event of an accident, an Onstar operator, based at Command Centre in Luton, can communicate with the occupant of a car to ascertain injuries while co-ordinating with emergency services to direct them to the scene via GPS. Stateside the system has been shown to save lives while a secondary, SOS button, can be activated by an occupant should they feel unwell (heart attack, allergic reaction etc.) to be patched through to emergency services.
Yeah but all cars will have that by 2018.
Quite true, which is why the Vauxhall system goes further. Should a warning light show up on your dashboard you can ask the OnStar operator to perform a diagnostic scan to determine whether the issue needs immediate attention or just needs to be looked at soon, booking an appointment with your local dealer to rectify the issue.
You can also ask OnStar to input directions into your satnav or use the service to unlock your car should you lock the keys inside. In time Vauxhall may even roll out a concierge service that you can use to make hotel reservations or book film tickets.
Do people actually use this system?
In the US OnStar deals with one call every two seconds. In China it is five per second.
It is hoped that the convenience of OnStar will convince the typical reserved British market to use the service and come close to the 50 per cent retention rate that is seen in the US.
Ok, how much does it cost?
OnStar is going to be fitted as standard to all mid- and high-spec Vauxhall models starting with the Astra next month. Ordering it optionally is expected to cost £350 on lower spec models. The service is free for the first 12 months after which a £79 annual subscription fee will be applied. That does not include the Wifi hotspot however; OnStar will cover that for the first year with prices still to be determined going forward.
Paul Healy - 1 Jul 2015