Shanghai OnStar Telematics signed up its first customer in China at the end of 2009. Mr Lu Jianping, who lives in the city of Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province, bought a Cadillac Seville SLS and will receive OnStar services for 12 months before having to pay to renew his subscription.
GM has also expanded availability of OnStar in China to include the Buick Enclave in addition to Cadillac. GM lists 14 OnStar services in China. These include automatic crash and breakdown response, vehicle diagnostics, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock, roadside assistance, handsfree calling, turn-by-turn navigation and destination download.
OnStar will be promoted at a joint SAIC/GM pavilion titled Drive to 2030 as part of the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai starting May 1st.
GM’s launch of Shanghai OnStar confirms China’s position as a hotbed for OE telematics services. Toyota/Lexus launched G-Book last year and SBD’s recent report An analysis of OE telematics services in China identified many vehicle manufacturers planning rival services.
China is seen by vehicle manufacturers as a key growth area for both vehicle sales and telematics services that are being used to gain competitive advantage.
To help support its clients with market strategy and expansion into this rapidly expanding market, SBD offers exclusive research in the areas of telematics, navigation and traffic information in China.
Download the information bulletins below or contact jappleby@sbd.co.uk for more information.
An analysis of OE telematics services in China
Portable navigation in China
The key market drivers for telematics in China
China OE embedded navigation market trends, feature database and system photos
Broadcast technologies for traffic information in China
Collecting and distributing traffic information in China
