When Seconds Count ... OnStar Advisors Provide Peace of Mind When Spanish is Preferred Language

When Seconds Count ... OnStar Advisors Provide Peace of Mind When Spanish is
Preferred Language 


TROY, Mich., Dec. 16  /PRNewswire/ -- Have you ever been in an emergency
situation while driving -- and then worried that no one would understand you
when you called for help?  Ana Rodriguez of Los Angeles, CA, doesn't have that
worry.  When her tire blew out while she was traveling on the highway, she
instinctively pressed the blue OnStar button and connected with a Spanish-
speaking advisor for assistance.  The OnStar advisor then quickly followed up by
delivering Rodriguez' location information to a Spanish-speaking roadside
assistance dispatcher.  "My tire was fixed immediately and I was able to
communicate in the language I feel most comfortable with," she notes.  Despite
her English- and Spanish-language skills, Rodriguez admits it is easier for her
to speak in her native tongue.  "I wouldn't go anywhere without OnStar -- the
services are invaluable."

"In an emergency, every second counts," notes Manual Delgado, a New York Fire
Department EMT.  "If someone doesn't speak your language you can waste precious
time.  I like the idea that OnStar is addressing the need for multilingual
advisors -- no doubt these OnStar language services will ultimately help save
lives."

According to Michelle Stoutermire, OnStar's Manager for Diversity, the company
is doing all it can to make it easy for Spanish-speaking subscribers to use --
and rely on -- OnStar services.  At activation, for example, subscribers can
have their OnStar systems configured to connect directly to Spanish-speaking
advisors, who are available 24 hours a day.  New OnStar subscribers who express
a preference will receive a Spanish-language welcome kit that includes a copy of
the OnStar magazine, in Spanish, with several customer stories. 
Spanish-language brochures are available at select dealerships.  And, for those
interested in getting their information online, onstar.com is available in
Spanish for current and prospective subscribers, with explanation of OnStar
services and current vehicle availability.  The same features and resources are
available for French-speaking OnStar subscribers.

"Providing this multilingual service was important to us because it's important
to so many of our subscribers," notes Stoutermire.  "We need to be there for as
many of our subscribers as possible in the language they understand and feel
most comfortable speaking."  Spanish-language ads for OnStar are airing on radio
and will appear soon in print.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp., is the nation's
leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services using
the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and wireless technology.
With more than two million subscribers, OnStar services include automatic
notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock,
emergency services notification for dispatch, roadside assistance, GM Goodwrench
remote vehicle diagnostics, route support, convenience services and OnStar
Concierge.  OnStar Personal Calling allows drivers to make, receive and access
personalized information all in a hands-free, voice-activated manner with no
screens or displays.

  On a monthly basis*, OnStar responds to approximately:
  -- 700 automatic airbag notifications
  -- 700 stolen vehicle location requests
  -- 250,000 routing calls
  -- 28,000 remote unlock requests
  -- 15,000 GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostics
  -- 13,000 roadside assistance calls
  -- 6,000 emergency calls

  *3-month average based on Sept.-Nov. 2003



For 2004, OnStar is available on more than 50 General Motors vehicles, including
SUVs, light trucks, minivans, crossovers, large and midsize sedans, and small
cars, as well as 15 models from six other auto manufacturers. Additional
information is available at http://www.onstar.com/ . 

DATASOURCE: OnStar



CONTACT:  Geri Lama of OnStar Communications, [phone],

 



Web site:  http://media.gm.com/

http://www.gm.com/

http://www.onstar.com/ 

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