OnStar Launches New Digital Sound Studio Studio leverages power of radio to increase brand awareness DETROIT, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- OnStar by GM was joined this week by broadcast partners XM Satellite Radio; two Infinity Broadcasting stations -- Detroit's exclusive all-news station WWJ Newsradio 950 and WCBS-FM (NYC); and legendary Detroit radio station WJR-AM for the official launch of the OnStar Sound Studio. The new state-of-the-art digital broadcast studio is within the OnStar Command Center at GM's Global Headquarters at the Renaissance Center. OnStar President Chet Huber cut the ceremonial ribbon. The lineup of personalities appearing in the studio this week include XM Satellite Radio's Ronnie Lane, host of XM's daily Major League Baseball talk program MLB Live (XM channel 175); Car Chronicles host Jeff Gilbert, Sports Director Larry Henry and Wall Street Journal Senior Editor Ed Coury from Michigan's Station of the Year, WWJ Newsradio 950; veteran DJ and rock historian Bob Shannon from New York City's WCBS-FM; and popular Detroit radio personality Paul W. Smith from News/Talk powerhouse WJR (760 AM), an ABC/Disney-owned station. OnStar, the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communications services using wireless technology and the Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS) will build on the studio's capabilities to complement its highly successful "Real Stories" radio advertising campaign, which features actual service calls to OnStar advisors. Since 2003, when OnStar kicked off its "Real Stories" advertising campaign, the company has been among the nation's leading radio advertisers. The successful campaign continues to enable OnStar to stand apart in the marketplace by offering the subscriber's unique perspective in communicating the value of OnStar's services. "Our "Real Stories" advertising campaign illustrates the impact that our subscribers have when their stories are heard on the radio," said Huber. In the "Real Stories" radio spots actual OnStar subscribers are helped by real OnStar Advisors. "Listeners can directly relate to these messages, because they may have found themselves in similar situations. Leveraging the capabilities of the OnStar studio, we can use this powerful medium and communications tool to deliver high-impact messaging to further increase OnStar's brand awareness and the value of the potentially life-saving services OnStar provides." In an average month*, OnStar advisors respond to: -- 800 airbag deployment notifications -- 18,000 roadside assistance requests -- 36,000 remote door unlock requests -- 13,000 emergency service requests -- 350 stolen vehicle location assistance requests -- 4,500 good Samaritan requests *monthly averages, Feb. - April 2005 General Motors also recognized the potential of the new satellite radio industry back in 2001 when it became the first automobile manufacturer to offer XM Satellite Radio as a factory-installed option in select 2002 vehicles. Since then, the satellite radio industry has grown dramatically. Today, both GM and XM Satellite Radio are the recognized leaders in their respective industries for this increasingly popular and dynamic broadcast medium. Recently, XM Satellite Radio signed up its 4-millionth subscriber, 1.3 million of whom enjoy the service through a factory-installed XM radio in their GM vehicle. GM is far and away the automotive industry leader in offering factory-installed satellite radio, having XM radios available or standard in over 50 GM models. With a design inspired by XM Satellite Radio's broadcast studios, the OnStar Sound Studio will enable OnStar to support a variety of communications initiatives. Traditional studio usage examples include radio media tours, recordings for internal communications, audio news releases, remote and recorded broadcasts by guest DJs whose networks are OnStar commercial partners, public service announcements and voice content for a wide variety of Customer Relations Management programs. In addition to traditional usage of this dynamic communications medium, OnStar has the ability to use the studio for cutting-edge communications efforts, including podcasts and pre-packaged radio content that could be effectively utilized by terrestrial and satellite radio networks to further strengthen OnStar brand messaging. The facility's equipment includes a Klotz Digital AEON console and VADIS mainframe, Dalet digital audio workstation, Neuman BCM 104 condenser microphones, Telos 1 x 6 phone hybrid, Two Telos Zephyr Codecs for ISDN links, Radio Systems' Studio Hub+ interfaces for CAT 5 cabling architecture, and a variety of playback and record devices. The talk studio accommodates a host and up to four guests, microphones and headphones, TV and DVD monitors controlled by the show host and a phone console. The Control Room contains show producer and sound engineer stations. About OnStar OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the nation's leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services using wireless technology and the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network. OnStar is available on more than 50 GM models for 2005. By the end of 2007, OnStar will be a standard feature for GM's retail customers in the United States and Canada, covering all segments and prices except for some commercial vehicles. OnStar safety and security services include automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location assistance, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, and GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostics. OnStar hands-free Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated calls from their vehicle. More information about OnStar can be found at http://www.onstar.com/ . Fact Sheet OnStar Sound Studio Launch Week Lineup Monday -- 7 - 11 p.m.: live broadcast, MLB Live on MLB Homeplate, XM channel 175 Ronnie Lane Tuesday -- 5 a.m. - noon: live broadcast, WWJ Newsradio 950 Jeff Gilbert, Ed Coury and Larry Henry -- 1 - 3 p.m.: Recording session for WCBS-FM Bob Shannon -- 7 - 11 p.m.: live broadcast, MLB Live on MLB Homeplate, XM channel 175 Ronnie Lane Wednesday -- 5:30 - 9:30 a.m.: live broadcast on WJR-AM (760) Paul W. Smith DATASOURCE: General Motors Corporation CONTACT: Terry Sullivan, +1-313-665-2816, Cell: +1-313-378-8212, or Keith Yaden, +1-313-667-0784, Cell: +1-248-765-3049, , both of OnStar Communications Web site: http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/ http://www.onstar.com/

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