The subsidiary sitting atop a star that's owned by the General is taking the turn-by-turn downloadble direction nav system in GM vehicles pretty seriously. They announced yesterday at an embargoed press conference they're expanding their nav system by partnering with MapQuest to allow subscribers to send destinations from MapQuest.com directly to your OnStar-equipped vehicle. The system's called "OnStar Web Destination Entry" and they're planning to start with a pilot program in the summer of 2007 and then expand it to all OnStar subscribers starting late 2007. We guess that means you'll now be able to get lost with MapQuest directions by having them directly beamed to your car rather than print them out and take them with you. Hey, at least it's more environmentally friendly. Full press release and a screen shot of what the new MapQuest screen will look like after the jump.
OnStar Expands its Navigation Service with MapQuest Partnership
New OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation Enhancement to Allow Subscribers to Send Destinations from MapQuest.com to Millions of GM VehiclesDETROIT and DENVER (April 25, 2007) - GM's OnStar and MapQuest announced today a collaboration that will allow OnStar subscribers to plan their driving route on MapQuest.com and send their destination right to OnStar's easy to use Turn-by-Turn Navigation service. This new Turn-by-Turn service enhancement, OnStar Web Destination Entry, will allow subscribers to conveniently use MapQuest.com to research and plan their driving destinations with more than 15 million points-of-interest available through the number one mapping Web site.
General Motors and OnStar, the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services, are making the simplest and smartest navigation service, OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, available to more than 2 million vehicles in 2007 and an additional 3 million vehicles in 2008. This availability allows GM to offer the most navigation options across more vehicle segments and price ranges than any other vehicle manufacturer. MapQuest is the leading online mapping and directions destination and one of the most trusted and widely used brands on the Web. 1
"Our 10 years of experience have taught us that life happens when you're driving," said OnStar President Chet Huber. "The value of OnStar Web Destination Entry, which combines the powerfully-simple technology of OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation with the leading consumer Web site for maps and directions, MapQuest , is added flexibility for our subscribers. The new service enhancement will allow them to use the Web to plan their destination while having the freedom to start the journey from wherever they want."
OnStar and MapQuest will start a Web Destination Entry pilot program in the summer of 2007 with a select group of OnStar subscribers. Targeted for late 2007, OnStar Web Destination Entry will be available to all OnStar subscribers with Turn-by-Turn Navigation-capable vehicles.
"One of our goals at MapQuest is to make it convenient and easy for our users to plan their journey on their desktop computers and send the information to their cars. We are thrilled to be working with the world's largest auto manufacturer to bring our great services to OnStar customers," said Jim Greiner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MapQuest. "This represents another example of how we are extending our ability to help consumers access MapQuest services whenever and wherever they need them."
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, a GM exclusive, was first introduced in February 2006 on the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS. It is available as a part of OnStar's complete suite of safety, security and communication services. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation is included in the first year of service on all 2007 Buicks and nearly all 2007 Cadillacs and a number of other 2007 GM vehicles. Additionally, it is available for a $100 service plan upgrade on many other 2007 GM cars and trucks during the first year of service.
About GM
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.About OnStar by GM
OnStar, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services. OnStar is available on more than 50 MY 2007 GM models and includes one year of service. OnStar will become standard on nearly all GM retail vehicles in the United States and Canada by the end of 2007. OnStar provides services to more than 4.5 million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. More information about OnStar can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.onstar.com" www.onstar.com.About MapQuest
MapQuest offers Internet, wireless and business solutions that help people find places. MapQuest is one of the most recognized and trusted brands on the Internet and is the leading consumer Web site for maps and directions, serving more than 49 million users in March, 2007, according to comScore Media Metrix. MapQuest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL LLC, is based in Denver, Colorado.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs the country's largest Internet access business, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.1 comScore Media Metrix, March, 2007
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