OnStar Crisis Assist Services Available for Tsunami Warning

DETROIT, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OnStar is offering Crisis Assist services to active subscribers in areas affected by the Tsunami warning. A simple push of the OnStar button in their vehicle will put subscribers in contact with specially trained Crisis Advisors.

Crisis Assist services are being offered to subscribers in Hawaii and along the Pacific Coastal areas from Southern California to Alaska.

OnStar's Crisis Assist capabilities include specially trained Crisis Advisors, who can help with:

• Emergency Services: Advisors can contact emergency responders if needed and direct them to the subscriber's exact vehicle location, using OnStar's embedded cellular system and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite technology. OnStar Advisors can also use GPS technology to provide subscribers with evacuation routes.

• Central point of contact for assistance: Advisors can provide crisis information and centralized assistance for evacuation routing, food, water, shelter locations and hotel accommodations along with information on road closures, power outages, and weather updates.

• Keeping subscribers connected: Subscribers who are without power in their homes or cannot recharge cell phone batteries can push the OnStar blue button to stay connected.

• Reporting new incidents: OnStar encourages subscribers to be Good Samaritans and contact an Advisor whenever they witness someone with an emergency need, so that the Advisor can inform appropriate public safety officials

In addition, OnStar can assist state and federal agencies by providing them with real-time/on-the-ground crisis information from OnStar subscribers.

"Preparation is the best defense in any kind of crisis," said Terry Inch, director, OnStar Subscriber Services. "We just want people to remember that OnStar can assist in these trying times in ways they may not expect, even in the event that other communications are knocked out.  OnStar is available round the clock to support its subscribers in need."

OnStar continues to offer its full range of services, including navigation and hands-free calling, for subscribers who are affected daily by crisis events at no extra cost, regardless of their subscription plan. For more information on OnStar Crisis Assist, visit www.onstar.com.

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Currently available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar soon will be available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road through local electronics retailers, including Best Buy. OnStar safely connects its more than six million subscribers, in the U.S., Canada and China, in ways never thought possible. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.

SOURCE General Motors