Device interconnection and the spread of the Internet have revolutionized how users move and interact with vehicles, so there is a shift towards connected, secure and shared mobility around the world.

OnStar is a Chevrolet-exclusive technology platform that is revolutionizing mobility with 24/7 onboard communications, safety and emergency services.

Mobility has undergone a radical change due to technological advances in communications. According to firm Statista, the number of cars connected to the internet worldwide has increased significantly between 2018 and 2023. This trend is expected to continue and exceed 300 million connected units by the end of this year. This has led to the emergence of smart vehicles, sharing applications and more efficient traffic management systems that have increased accessibility, safety, sustainability and the digitization of mobility.

As such, General Motors recognizes that technology and connectivity is changing the user experience and is developing new solutions to improve efficiency and safety on board its vehicles. A prime example is being the first automotive company to launch connected cars in Colombia with platforms like OnStar, a Chevrolet-exclusive technology that offers safety services, emergency assistance, navigation and 24/7 vehicle protection.

According to Juan David Arias, manager of OnStar and Connected Services at General Motors, “We are a pioneer in the Colombian market for connected vehicles. Increasingly common in mature markets, these types of vehicles are capable of constantly transmitting and receiving data over the Internet from users, dealers and our support teams. This has allowed us not only to take the onboard experience to the next level, but also to bring cars to the streets that will have better mechanical conditions over time to reduce accidents, smart driving platforms to make users more aware of their driving habits, reduce car thefts vehicles, offer our customers cheaper insurance policies, and make it easier to own and sell a Chevrolet.”

Road safety in the digital age

As part of World Road Safety Month, the butterfly brand reaffirms its commitment to improving safety and reducing fatalities in road traffic crashes, where the chance of death can rise from 15% to 75% if adequate assistance is not provided within the first 60 minutes. incident. For this reason, General Motors has taken advantage of its connected car platform and developed its electronic architecture to offer an automatic crash response service supported by various sensors built into the vehicle to alert the human team and emergency services. gets into an accident, even if he can’t call for help, the car does it for him and the assistance protocol is immediately activated to get help to the scene of the accident as soon as possible.

With this technology, General Motors obtains crash statistics that it intends to use to improve road safety by stepping up prevention campaigns and building alliances with public and private organizations.

More than 22,000 connected Chevrolets that roll through the streets of the country report that 29% of these vehicle collisions occur in the Antioquia department, 13.3% in Valle del Cauca and about 9% in Bogotá. 58% of crashes are in vehicles with male registered users on the OnStar platform, and the age of the users with the most crashes is concentrated in the 30s to 40s range. It is also known from reporting these vehicles that 65% of collisions are frontal, 12% rear, 14% left side and 9% right side of the vehicle. And while there are quite a few crashes due to speeding, contrary to what one might think, the average speed at which crashes reported by the automatic collision response system is 21 km/h, which led the company to understand others causes of accidents. as elements of distraction.

This is how Chevrolet and OnStar are implementing more road safety solutions. In this sense, there are other important attributes of this technology:

• A blue button inside the vehicle allows users to communicate with an OnStar consultant who can perform real-time remote diagnostics of various vehicle systems to make travel safer. This type of diagnostic is also emailed to the user on a monthly basis and communicated to dealers to alert them to any need for vehicle maintenance and to keep more vehicles running in top condition.
• If there is an emergency on the road or any kind of road accident, be it a medical emergency or roadside assistance, Chevrolet vehicles with OnStar technology have a red emergency button that will prioritize OnStar consultants so they can respond in the shortest possible time. terms. possible time, and send the necessary assistance to the place where the user is located, with the support of the subjects of medical assistance, police and firefighters.
• Chevrolet drivers integrated with OnStar have access to information about their driving style and hard braking and hard acceleration reports. As well as tips for improving driving skills, increasing efficiency and responsibility behind the wheel.
• Reception of native apps and smart voice assistants: In order to reduce the use of mobile phones while driving, which distract attention and lead to accidents, connected cars can receive native apps (such as Spotify, Google Maps) in their infotainment systems, among other things. ) and enable smart voice assistants such as Google Voice Assistant and Alexa, the latter is expected to launch next year in Colombia. All of these apps work with the car’s Internet through their own Wi-Fi hotspot and are kept up to date by the ability of connected cars to receive OTA updates (by air), just like cell phone operating systems are updated. We can say that the car becomes a “Smartphone on wheels”.

Innovation in the development of the team of people behind OnStar

Based in Colombia, a dedicated team of over 40 OnStar consultants is responsible for prompt and immediate response to Chevrolet customers in Spanish-speaking South America. OnStar consultants receive comprehensive training that spans both technical and communication skills and are prepared to deal effectively and efficiently with the various emergencies that may arise, ensuring users receive exceptional care characterized by empathy, active listening, and effective resolution. problems.

Part of the innovation in the development of the OnStar Advisory Group is the implementation of the “games” or “gamification” approach. Based on the principle of the 70-20-10 professional development model, where 10% is spent on traditional academic pursuits, 20% on social interaction (coaching, mentoring, observation and feedback), and 70% on learning Through experience, OnStar consultants go through professional training with the help of video games in a special space called “Game Arena”. As noted in the Harvard Business Review, aspects such as fun, competition and play are essential to the use of games in companies for learning and development, and OnStar is taking advantage of this innovative tool to continually focus on the needs of its users. providing a highly efficient service.

On the other hand, this year General Motors will increase its human team as part of business development by including more people in its contact center emergency cell, strengthening their skills in first aid, emergency care, hiring new consultants with knowledge. in care and rescue protocols.

Chevrolet vehicles with state-of-the-art technology

The Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss Z71 and the revolutionary 2024 Chevrolet Montana set a new standard in the automotive industry. These innovations stand out for their comfort, power and technological features, which make them leaders in their segments. The Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss Z71 offers an exceptional driving experience, and the 2024 Chevrolet Montana stands out for being the first vehicle in its class to include 1 year of Onstar Connect and 12 months of free Wi-Fi with a 6GB monthly plan. These models reflect the evolution of technology and Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering quality vehicles with innovative and cutting-edge features to its customers.

Regarding General Motors’ electrification strategy, Chevrolet’s electric vehicle available in Colombia is the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, which, in addition to some of the comfort and power features that make it stand out in this segment, features state-of-the-art connectivity technologies such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and also a multimedia center with a fully digital 10.2-inch screen.

For its part, the Selective Club, which provides special opportunities and benefits to members who are also users of the Chevrolet Equinox RS, Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet Blazer RS, Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, Camaro SS or Silverado Trail Boss Z71, premium connectivity benefits such as Wi- Fi 6 GB per month for one year, as well as the OnStar Protect and Connect package for the same period of time, in addition to the state of the art technological attributes that these vehicles have that make them stand out in the market.

In addition, Arias notes that “The launch of our new vehicles is also accompanied by the new MyChevrolet app, completely redesigned and relaunched this year, which offers Chevrolet owners a host of remote control features. These features allow you to remotely start and stop your vehicle from your mobile device or iWatch, turn on the lights, lock and unlock doors, and sound the horn. The app also provides real-time vehicle location information, driving habits information, driving tips to reduce accidents, after-sales service, vehicle health alerts and other attributes. This innovative application gives users a completely new experience of interacting with their car.”

“Our commitment is based on General Motors’ global goal: to create innovations that move people and connect them to what matters most, where we strive to achieve the future of smart and responsible mobility, guided by our vision of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion. Through the introduction of innovative technologies such as OnStar, we are revolutionizing the way people move and enjoy driving.”concludes Arias.

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