autoevolution
 

OnStar Races Towards 7.9 Million Subscribers by 2017

It took American telematics provider quite a long time to get to the hearts and minds of the American consumers, but once there, it would appear there is no stopping it. Representing, if you like, the future of mass transportation, with integrated services available to the driver at a push of a button, OnStar released today its predictions for a very bright future.

According to the GM-owned company, backed by a study conducted by IHS iSuppli, by 2017 there will be 7.9 million people using its services (no one is saying why the study stopped at 7.9 million subscribers and the year 2017 and didn't, for instance, predict 8 million subscribers by say 2018).

According to IHS, the growth OnStar will experience will be accompanied by a proportionate growth in sales for GM vehicles. The automaker alone will be bringing to the table 3.2 million OnStar enabled vehicle by the same 2017, up from 2.1 million in 2010.

"GM's OnStar has proven the appeal of telematics services among consumers," said Anna Buettner, analyst and regional manager for automotive electronics at IHS.

"From automatic collision notification to stolen vehicle assistance, to on-board navigation, to remote door unlock, to mobile phone remote control, to destination download from Google/Mapquest, OnStar has delivered a suite of services that motorists like. OnStar will continue to add compelling services in the future, such as remote software upgrade of electronic control units (ECUs)."


Taking into account the fact that at the end of last year OnStar announced its expansion into other makes of cars, through the introduction of the OnStar mirror, it's likely the expansion of the services it provides will bloom in the years to come.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
Daniel Patrascu profile photo

Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories