General Motors has announced that it will roll out Bluetooth hands free technology across a number of its vehicles, beginning in the 2009 model year. Currently, only one GM vehicle — the Cadillac STS — offers Bluetooth, leaving a glaring hole in the General’s option list.
In the Q&A section of the GM FYI Blog, Phil Colley of GM Performance Parts said that GM will soon launch the “broadest rollout of Bluetooth in the industry,” involving 30 vehicles by the 2009 model year.
While the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu have been heavily praised by the media, one complaint that has always seemed to surface is their lack of an available Bluetooth system. The addition of the technology should sway some buyers and ultimately increase interest and sales of GM vehicles.



12/19, 9:39 AM
posted by:
cookie4me
Another blind blunder by GM. For this, there is no excuse. When you can get bluetooth on a Nissan Sentra and not on the cutting edge sedan offered by Cadillac, you really have to wonder where GM’s head was buried. At least Ford will move less appealing product with its sync system.
12/19, 9:44 AM
posted by:
Rotman
Even my dog comes with Bluetooth nowadays….
12/19, 9:49 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
I’m not much on the whole Bluetooth thing (95% gimmick), but GM really needs this for marketing purposes.
12/19, 9:53 AM
posted by:
LP640
this is pathetic. Bluetooth was being offered on cars in the 1800’s and by 2009 when GM catch up witht the rest of the world bluetooth will be a thing of the past.
12/19, 9:57 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Okay, it’s official. LP640 needs a serious intervention and a trip to drug rehab.
12/19, 10:42 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
RHead: even people like us will one day cave to the techno-gods and be forced to admit that anything that frees up the other hand of the lumpen proletariat so that it might actually find its way on the steering wheel just might be a good thing.
I’m just worried about what the next excuse not to have both hands on the wheel will be.
12/19, 10:42 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
It’s about time. I agree its mostly marketing and PR, but some buyers will actually refuse to look at or buy a car that doesn’t have that feature. It is a “nice to have” feature, that certainly should be available in all cars costing more than $30k, especially if the competition offers it.
Next, they need to offer a navigation system on their mid-size sedans like the Malibu and Aura – the OnStar thing doesn’t cut it. Especially since you can get nav on cars as low as the Corolla and Scions these days.
12/19, 10:59 AM
posted by:
Rotman
ÃŒ’m not sure how this is in the States but in many European countries you have to use a handsfree set when you want to use your cell and bluetooth is extremely easy to use.
12/19, 11:05 AM
posted by:
LP640
CA36, when’s our rehab trip scheduled?????
12/19, 11:05 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
What, GM waaaaaaay behind everyone else in terms of technology? Say it isn’t so.
12/19, 11:08 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
But bluetooth in a car is totally pointless and unnecessary for hands-free operation. You need a bluetooth capable phone to use with a bluetooth-enabled car anyway. So why not just cut out the expensive middleman and buy a cheap bluetooth earpiece/mic?
12/19, 11:09 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
LP640, I’ll pick you up tomorrow in my 1800 bluetooth-enabled Cadillac and we’ll go, alright? If you’re a really good boy, we’ll stop at McDonald’s on the way.
12/19, 11:25 AM
posted by:
Rotman
Well, you have to remember where you left your earpiece and put it in and turn it on, but in your car it automatically connects when you get in, good sound over the speakers, good sound on the oither side. Only downside is the battery life.
12/19, 11:32 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Seems like the Onstar phone to me, which I thought was a bit lacking. A cabin mic would have to be fairly sensitive and grab some road noise.
12/19, 11:47 AM
posted by:
F451
What Lutz finally read an article in Bluetooth? I get so pissed with GM…years behind the competition on certain aspects that are so important to the customer.
12/19, 11:54 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Just another gadget that contributes to the escalating cost of vehicles and stagnant fuel economy. Another module, another harness, more weight.
12/19, 12:16 PM
posted by:
LP640
Gee, Thanks CA36
12/19, 12:37 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
“What, GM waaaaaaay behind everyone else in terms of technology? Say it isn’t so.
Comment by Madcapp, posted on December19 at 11:05 am ”
Madcapp – GM has invented more automotive technology that is used everyday today than any other automobile company in the world. Get a clue before you post such nonsense.
12/19, 2:08 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
I agree that actually having Bluetooth is great if the customer is looking for it in competing cars, but bluetooth itself is a passing fad. I also want to see GM make iPod ability standard, but they don’t seem to get it…
It doesn’t matter if it’s worthwhile, if the competition offers it GM needs to at least look into it.
BTW, OnStar turn by turn might not cut it as a nav system, Oh wait, what am I saying? OnStar is way cheaper then the average nav, is completely upgradeable, and doesn’t require you to take your eyes off the road to program in a destination. OK, no fancy screen, but that is a distration to the task at hand – DRIVING!
12/19, 3:30 PM
posted by:
Fletch
Dude, nav is nice, no fumbling around with maps and printed directions. Especially for visual learners like me.
Nav is worth the weight penalty.
12/19, 3:53 PM
posted by:
LP640
^agreed i dont know where i’d be if it wasnt for nav, probably lost in a wood somewhere.
12/20, 4:17 AM
posted by:
The Stig
What is Bluetooth?
12/20, 8:55 AM
posted by:
Get Real
Bluetooth is auto-speak for “more trips to the dealership to fix.”
12/20, 8:59 AM
posted by:
CA36GTP
Bluetooth is auto-speak for the final conversion of your automobile into your wife. Have fun arguing with Ford’s stupid voice-command system when it does the opposite of everything you say.
12/20, 5:51 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
blueballs