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OnStar Approaching Two-Million-Subscriber Milestone

Telematics Innovator Continues to Extend Leadership Position


LAS VEGAS, NV - OnStar announced today that it will end the 2001 calendar year with close to two million subscribers, reaffirming its leadership position in the telematics industry and overall success in offering innovative in-vehicle services. In reaching this milestone OnStar grew its subscriber base by more than 250 percent this year.

"We are very satisfied with our subscriber rates, renewal rates and user response," said OnStar President Chet Huber to reporters at Comdex. "Our subscription-based business model continues to thrive by offering quality services drivers want and need in their vehicle on an easy-to-use, flexible technology platform."

According to OnStar customer research 95 percent of subscribers activate the service, 86 percent said OnStar gives them peace of mind and 76 percent said they would recommend OnStar to a family member or a friend.

Since 1996, OnStar has been enriching its subscribers' driving experience through a core service offering that includes such features as automatic airbag deployment notification, remote door unlock, remote engine diagnostics and stolen vehicle location; concierge services, information/convenience services, and route support.

OnStar has had more than 10 million interactions with subscribers and is touching subscribers in every county in the United States and all provinces of Canada. On a monthly basis, OnStar is responding to:

  • 200,000 routing calls per month
  • 15,000 door unlocks/month
  • 14,250 roadside dispatches/month
  • 300 air-bag deployments/month
  • 375 stolen vehicles located/month

In 2001, OnStar continued to broaden its service offerings with breakthrough technology platforms and value-added services. This year's highlights include:

  • Nationwide rollout of Personal Calling and distinction as the country's largest reseller of cellular service
  • Nationwide rollout of Virtual Advisor, the industry's first location-enabled voice portal designed for the driving environment
  • Content partnerships for Virtual Advisor with Fidelity, CNN Radio Network, The Wall Street Journal, Disney and Tele Atlas/Metro Networks
  • Launch of XM Satellite Radio in select 2002 GM vehicles
  • Significant volume commitment by General Motors and additional OEM partnerships with Lexus, Acura, Audi and Subaru.

About OnStar
OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corp., is the nation's leading telematics provider. OnStar services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock, emergency services dispatch, roadside assistance, remote diagnostics, route support, convenience services and OnStar Concierge. OnStar Personal Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls through a nationwide network in cooperation with Verizon Wireless. Virtual Advisor, developed with General Magic Inc , gives subscribers access to personalized information in a hands-free, voice-activated manner with no screens or displays. Additional information is available at www.onstar.com.