Vauxhall has been recognised by the prestigious BusinessCar Techies Awards for its new OnStar service, launching in September.
Winning the hotly-contested innovation category, OnStar heralds a new era for drivers, taking in-car connectivity to new heights already enjoyed by more than seven million GM customers in North America, China and Mexico.
“It’s the level and variety of offering wrapped up with OnStar, as well as its accessibility, that really won over the BusinessCar Techie Awards judging panel,” said BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker. “There are duty of care, convenience and organisational benefits all wrapped up in a proven package, and it’s a development that genuinely moves the industry forward.”
Now in their seventh year, the Techies are judged by BusinessCar’s expert editorial panel with help from TRL’s technology expert. One judge commented: “OnStar will help a lot of fleet drivers, and the fact it is free on some trims for the first year will make it accessible.”
Vauxhall Fleet Sales Director James Taylor said: “We’re thrilled to be recognised for OnStar by BusinessCar. The business car sector is incredibly important to us and this awards shows how relevant OnStar will be in helping fleet drivers and managers ensure time-efficient and safe journeys on business.”
OnStar is a new, one-of-a-kind system, which is made up of three distinct offerings. Firstly, OnStar services connect drivers directly with a call centre advisor, providing owners with a personal assistant 24/7. For example, with Destination Download; call your OnStar advisor in-car and they’ll pinpoint your desired destination and send the address to your vehicle’s navigation system. It also offers emergency response notification if the airbag deploys and stolen vehicle recovery technology.
Secondly, OnStar offers comprehensive vehicle diagnostics, which perfectly suit a modern fleet’s needs. Free-of-charge for 60 months, information on fuel economy, tank range, oil life, mileage and tyre pressure is easily accessible, while OnStar can also send you a monthly email showing a host of data to help you stay in control of your car, or entire company fleet.
Finally, the system gives you a Wi-Fi hotspot via 4G for up to seven devices which is free for the first 12 months.
The BusinessCar Techies are the industry’s only technology-specific awards designed to reward those companies whose clever use of technology makes business car fleet operation easier, cheaper, cleaner, safer and more straightforward.
