As Hurricane Gustav neared New Orleans, General Motors activated emergency plans for OnStar, its on-board navigation and safety system, and increased staff at its three call centers, where 500 people
were taking calls from fleeing drivers. Advisers counseled evacuees on routes, hotels and other emergency preparations.
In addition to computerized maps and information on hotel vacancies,
the service offers information on locations of Red Cross shelters. Because of the emergency, OnStar offered its higher service-level package to all customers free of charge. GM also offered drivers 30
minutes' free airtime to take calls in their cars.
The crisis has highlighted the growing sophistication of in-car safety and navigation systems, the benefits of which manufacturers such as
GM are keen to broadcast as they seek to recoup high investment costs in the new technology.
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at Financial Times »