Beginning with model year 2025, some OnStar features will come standard on GM vehicles at no additional cost above the vehicle purchase price.

All Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles will be equipped with the new “OnStar One Essentials” package that includes Automatic Crash Response, remote vehicle commands, and navigation and voice assistance features.

Automatic Crash Response is a comprehensive automatic crash notification system that connects customers to critical assistance in the first moments after an accident, even if they’re unresponsive.

Specially-trained OnStar emergency advisors call into the vehicle to provide medical assistance and relay vital information to first responders.

Remote vehicle commands allow customers to manage their vehicle wherever they use their smartphone. From the myChevrolet, myGMC, myBuick, or myCadillac mobile app, customers can lock/unlock, remote start, and locate their vehicle. They can also view on-demand diagnostics and real-time vehicle status notifications when those features are enabled.

Navigation and voice assistance add simplicity while driving with apps like Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Maps+, and Waze on eligible vehicles, GM said.

“By standardizing some of our most appealing OnStar features, we can deliver more technology and value at every price point, helping ensure our vehicles and customers stay connected for the long-term,” said Marissa West, GM North America president, in a news release. “With this move, every new vehicle in our lineup will include a compelling set of safety and connected services that is distinct to GM thanks to nearly 30 years of OnStar experience and innovation.”

OnStar One Essentials will be included for eight years with every new vehicle purchase at no additional cost.

The 2025 Chevrolet Trax and 2025 Buick Envista, two of GM’s most affordable models, will be among the first to get the package, GM said.

All Cadillac customers will get additional premium OnStar services for three years beginning at the time of vehicle purchase.

GM Envolve fleet and business customers will receive these standard features for eight years with OnStar One Business Essentials. Retail and fleet vehicles in Canada will receive similar standard content.

Since June 1, 2022, most new Buick and GMC retail vehicles have included three years of the OnStar and Connected Services Premium Plan.

The plan includes OnStar Safety & Security (including the OnStar Guardian app); Connected Vehicle Plan (including remote access, app access, and unlimited data plan); and, if the vehicle is so equipped, Google built-in compatibility. For the Cadillac Escalade, the plan also includes three years of SiriusXM.

During a Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit session at the 2023 SEMA Show in November, OnStar Insurance President Andrew Rose said GM’s goal is to reduce, and eventually eliminate, collisions through the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

When collisions occur, he and a fellow panel speaker with Rivian said customers and repair facilities benefit from OEMs’ direct access to vehicle telematics. For example, g-force during a collision can help predict damage as well as what the cause was, not only through data but also camera footage.

“If you get into a claim when an accident does happen, not only can we assist, but we can use our technology to help triage the accident scene,” Rose said. “…We can dispatch first responders. We can tell them what part of the car they need to go to first because it has the greatest amount of damage. Thankfully, the vast majority of accidents aren’t that severe, which means the pain they feel is us. You and me, the claims process, we can improve if not, fix that, with this data.”

For example, based on sensor data, GM will know what may be broken or damaged and immediately order parts and schedule the repair to reduce cycle time and supplements.

Images

Featured image: An OnStar button in a GM vehicle. (Provided by GM)

More information

OnStar Insurance to be rebranded as GM Insurance