Wi-Fi. The wireless technology that either unites or splits human kind by letting us stalk friends and frenemies on Facebook, Tweet, peruse the latest GM news on GM Authority, check out auto news on Motrolix, and do whatever it is that our hearts desire on the web. And guess what, it’s available on every single Buick (except the Enclave). That’s what this new Buick commercial is all about.
The light-hearted ad features five sets of Buick owners either informing their friends that their Buick has Wi-Fi or hearing about the fact that someone else’s Buick has Wi-Fi. We especially giggled at the scene with the gentleman in the red Regal GS and his (we will assume) grandma. As it turns out, she has a blog. And she wants to know if she can update it from her (assumed) grandson’s Buick.
Enabled by OnStar connection provided by AT&T, the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can connect up to seven devices such as tablets, smartphones, computers, portable gaming systems, and more to the internet at 4G LTE speeds. The service launched to great critical acclaim across most 2015 model year GM vehicles in the U.S. in mid-2015.
Comments
I must be the only one who doesn’t give a rats ass about my car having wifi. I want power, Efficiency, and comfort. Don’t get me wrong I like the heated seats and other amenities. But all I see is gm parading around 4g like its gods greatest gift to man. Where’s your answer to the hellcat? Raptor? Power wagon? Rebel? 1/2 ton diesel? You let ram pass you up in sales and look at their 1/2 ton diesel success. And now the Titan. Come on gm.
I agree that GM should answer to some of the vehicles other companies like Chrysler and Ford are making, however I do think LTE is a great addition. I am not going to make up a bunch of reasons why I do like it but one of the main things is allowing other people to surf the web and do other things while you are driving. My uncle bought a GMC Yukon Denali before Christmas and he loves driving around in it with his grandchildren on road trips while they are on the internet.
GM can do a lot of more things, but they are already doing a lot of things right. Personally I don’t care if Chevy has a Hellcat competitor or a Rebel competitor but I would definitely love to see a 1/2 ton diesel (which is coming, I think) and a Raptor competitor.
If you’re going to let figures do the talking, then you should present all of the numbers.
True, the Ram outsold the Silverado two months in 2014. But it did so while its ATPs sank faster than Titanic. Meanwhile, GM’s ATPs are highest than they have ever been. So volume isn’t the end-all-be-all measurement stick here.
4G LTE with Wi-Fi is actually a serious advantage for the majority of consumers.
That said, I do agree with you that GM needs to have a Raptor fighter and diesel variant in the 1500. The hellcat is for idiots who purely look at spec sheets, as the cars don’t perform well in the real world. It’s the best Chrysler could do since its car is the heaviest in the segment, and it’s likely that there won’t be a follow-up when the next-gem Charger/Challenger/Cuda come to market. It’s important to stay disciplined in this industry, rather than making seat-of-the-pants decisions.
We heard the same anti OnStar stuff when it came out. And I agree it is too expensive for many. But it is doing great and is VERY profitable.
I look at it like any other option. Everybody does not buy sunroofs but there is enough profit in them to sell what they do sell.
In our family we have 2 cars with OnStar (wife, 16 year old daughter) and one without (mine). I do not feel I need it vs. the price they ask. However it is damn well worth it for my wife and kid.
I see the wifi the same way. Many will have no use for it. But many will and we will see if there is enough buyers to keep it around. I think it will do great and all cars will have sometime in the future. GM is just sticking its neck out ahead of all the rest.
And I will bet that having wifi in their vehicles will bring in more profits than having a 1/2 ton diesel or any of the other options. But time will tell.
It certainly costs considerably less to develop, implement, and market a car with wi-fi hotspot than it does a 1/2t diesel. The former has greater appeal to more people than the diesel, and would likely have a high take rate when it filters down to Chevrolet.
I like it. We should just take it for what it is a low budget ad highlighting a feature. And a good one at that, now we can be out in Timbuktu and fire up the tablet etc, and get a connection. My only beef is that the key must be in acc. and a current subscription. I wish they could have done it just like a radio in a car. You buy it with one and it’s always there working when you want it.