When Seconds Count ... OnStar Advisors Provide Peace of Mind When Spanish is Preferred Language
16 Dezember 2003 - 4:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
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, +1-248-588-4950, Web site:
http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/ http://www.onstar.com/
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