OnStar Doubles Down On The Connected Car With New Services

As much as Detroiters are gearing up for the North American International Auto Show at Cobo in just a couple of weeks, Detroit-area companies are also making news at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. OnStar is no exception.

You may have 4G LTE service for your cell phone, but how about service for your car? Rolling out to more than 30 models of GM’s new 2015 line will be new 4G LTE services. The most anticipated component of the 4G service bundle, AtYourService, offers drivers a new way to experience travel.

Redeem Coupons and Book a Hotel From Your Car

Through its partnerships with various companies, OnStar’s AtYourService connects drivers with merchants and retailers. The lineup of expected partners is impressive. Road trip entertainment is intended to be a breeze. Audiobooks.com will provide e-book content to drivers on the road. RetailMeNot and Entertainment Book, two prominent digital coupon services, will provide OnStar users with unique coupons.

Another great feature of AtYourService is the ability to book a hotel through OnStar’s partnership with Priceline.com. Active subscribers who have the full-service plan will have the ability to make hotel reservations through OnStar advisors, who can provide information like amenities, cost, availability, and ratings.

“By delivering relevant connections, interactions, offers and services based on our subscribers’ needs, we are laying the foundation for a truly cohesive experience,” said Mark Lloyd, consumer online officer for OnStar. “Our hope is that OnStar AtYourService will help transform the way businesses and consumers interact in connected vehicles.”

Could This Technology Help Get You A Lower Insurance Rate?

OnStar is also rolling out something that could, in theory, help your pocketbook. It’s called the Progressive insurance smart driver assessment program. In Summer 2015, OnStar 4G LTE users will have the option of participating in a 90-day assessment of their driving habits. Drivers who opt to use the program will receive a detailed report of the data. If you’re happy with the data, they can send it to Progressive, which may give them a better rate on their car insurance.

There will also be preventative maintenance alerts. Though this service is in its infancy, it’s a useful feature for many drivers. The system keeps track of the vehicle’s critical parts and sends a message to the driver when a part needs attention. The only parts currently monitored are the fuel pump, the battery, and the starter motor, but GM has promised to add more parts over time. Preventative maintenance alerts will debut in a few 2016 models.