Here Are Shanghai OnStar’s New Service Plans

As we reported previously, Shanghai OnStar, General Motors’ telematics subsidiary in China, has restructured its plans and services.

The new plans are the result of “feedback from subscribers on its WeChat account”, which generated over 20,000 responses to questions about how consumers would enjoy the OnStar services in the way that they want.

In addition, the survey also found that the three most popular OnStar services in China were Remote Control, Emergency Service, and Stolen Vehicle Location. Additionally, a third of respondents expressed a willingness to use their mobile phones as a service platform for their vehicles.

As such, “Based on the results of the survey, as well as the demand of OnStar subscribers, we decided to modify our existing service packages to increase convenience”, said Shanghai OnStar Managing Director Diane Jurgens. “This will enable users to choose the plan that best meets their individual requirements.”

The changes to Onstar plans in the Chinese market follow a restructuring of plans in North America, but are structured in a different fashion.

The New Service Plans

The four new service plans are are Safety & Security Package, Go Everywhere Package, Connect Anywhere Package, and All Star Package.

Safety & Security Package: provides six essential services, including:

• Emergency Service
• Vehicle Diagnostics
• Security Service
• Data Refresh Mobile App
• Maintenance Tips Mobile App
• On-Demand Vehicle Diagnostics Report Mobile App

From here, the packages add features as follows:

Go Everywhere Package: includes the six essential services in the Safety & Security Package, while adding Navigation.

Maps are automatically updated on a monthly basis, with Point of Interest updated daily. Coverage for the Traffic on Demand service has expanded from five major Chinese cities to 37 cities nationwide. Users can also access Turn-by-Turn navigation and OnStar Destination Download services via a mobile app.

Connect Anywhere: adds 500 minutes of Hands-Free Calling and includes the Find My Car and Remote Control Mobile App services. According to Chinese law, speaking on the phone while driving is illegal, and though most drivers have a Bluetooth-capable cell phone that allows them to make calls in a hands-free manner, they also have the alternative to use hands-free calling to make calls safely in a car.

All Star Package: integrates all OnStar services. Users can even enjoy concierge services such as airline ticket booking and hotel booking. In addition, users will have access to unlimited hands-free calling nationwide at no additional roaming charges.

Add-Ons

Subscribers can also select the services that they prefer on an a-la-carte basis:

• The Navigation service is available on a monthly, quarterly, half-year and full-year basis
• Hands-Free Calling is available in both 50-minute and 100-minute packages
• For RMB 188 yuan per year, drivers can have peace of mind knowing that their stolen vehicles will be located and the ignition will be blocked

OnStar is quite popular in China: since its launch in 2009, Shanghai OnStar has provided 160 million telematics services to almost 1 million active Chinese subscribers.