Shanghai, China – General Motors has announced it will launch its OnStar service in China, becoming operational in December 2009. The service will be provided by Shanghai OnStar Telematics Company, a joint venture of OnStar and Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales.
OnStar will be available exclusively on select Cadillac, Buick and Chevrolet vehicles, and will be eventually available on all GM vehicles sold in China.
“The launch of Shanghai OnStar Telematics marks OnStar’s first venture outside of North America and we couldn’t be happier that China is our next market,” said OnStar president Walt Dorfstatter. “China represents a huge opportunity to bring the safety, security and peace of mind of OnStar to SGM (Shanghai General Motors) customers. This new venture builds upon our leading position in the United States and Canada and our more than 14 years’ experience in the telematics industry.”
Vehicles with OnStar will include one year of service as standard equipment. The service will be available throughout mainland China, and will be first launched in Mandarin Chinese. Initial services offered will include automatic crash response, automatic airbag deployment response, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Good Samaritan, stolen vehicle location, link to emergency services, remote door unlock, and Turn-by-Turn Navigation.
