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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