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Got
OnStar? By
Jane Otto Using it once convinced Eric Thovson that his vehicles would always be equipped with OnStar. A satellite-based tracking system, OnStar connects motorists with trained operators who provide assistance, particularly in emergency situations. The past fall, Thovson and his family left their Hutchinson home for a camping trip in Taylor Falls. One late evening, cries of “my tummy hurts” emanated loudly from his 2-year-old daughter. No amount of comforting could soothe the hurt, Thovson said. “We were first-time parents. We were panicking.” Thovson hopped into his pickup, pushed the red button above the rear view mirror and asked, “Where is the nearest hospital?” A voice replied, “Good news, the hospital is across the river, 1 1/2 miles away in St. Croix Falls. Do you want us to call the emergency room?” His
daughter was OK, but sitting in his office at a Glencoe car dealer,
Thovson emphatically raised his hands and asked, “What kind
of peace of mind is that? What is that worth to you?” OnStar’s
onset OnStar, a subsidiary of General Motors, has roughly 2.5 million subscribers and is the most well-known of driver-assisted systems. Once available primarily in Cadillacs, it’s now in many models and makes, such as Acura, Audi, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Isuzu, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Volkswagen. BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Lincoln and Mercedes cars offer similar driver-assisted systems. OnStar began as a hand-held receiver in 1997, but evolved to a simple three-button system that allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel. The system is cellular-based, but has a signal almost 10 times stronger than a cell phone, Thovson said. Connections through the Global Positioning System enable the OnStar operator to know the car’s position within approximately 10 feet. A microphone embedded in the car’s roof transmits the driver’s voice, while the operator’s voice comes through the radio speakers. Some people think that the operator knowing the car’s position is akin to “Big Brother is watching you,” Thovson said. “It’s just a communication system.” The GPS is an important piece. If the car is stolen, OnStar can help the police locate the vehicle. A variety of services are available: from helping with a flat tire or unlocking the doors when the keys are inside to finding the nearest automated teller machine or getting tickets to a Timberwolves’ playoff game. Subscribers can also get phone service. As a salesman, Thovson uses this feature a lot. He presses one button and tells the OnStar operator the number to call. Presetting phone numbers is an option, too. “If you have OnStar, you can have as much as you want to pay for,” Thovson said. “The luxury-and-leisure package that really goes off the wall.” OnStar in factory-equipped vehicles ranges in price from $595 to $795. All buyers get OnStar’s safety package free for one year. Otherwise, the cost is $199 per year or $16.95 per month. The safety package includes OnStar calling the vehicle if the air bag deploys. If there’s no response, the operator calls 911 and gives the dispatcher the car’s location. Additional
packages, such as the directions plan or luxury plan, cost more. Brent Schacherer of Litchfield was one driver who chose not to subscribe. He didn’t use it once during the free trial, so couldn’t see the need for the service. Schacherer said he considered the phone service, but opted against it. “If you only travel two or three miles to work every day and never leave town, you probably don’t need it,” Thovson said. “There are people who have OnStar who have never had to use it. If anybody uses it one time, they’re sold. (Emergencies) don’t happen often, but when they happen, you’re glad you have it.” |
