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Toyota to launch its own OnStar this summer

01/07/2009, 2:18 PM

By Drew Johnson

General Motors pretty much had the market covered when it launched its OnStar vehicle telematics system in the fall of 1996 on 1997 model year Cadillacs, but now several other manufacturers have similar systems. Add Toyota’s name to that list as the Japanese automaker has officially announced its own OnStar-esque system.

The new system will be available on Toyota and Lexus models starting this summer, although each brand will have a slightly different version of the system. Toyota’s version will be called ‘Safety Connect’ while Lexus’ version will be dubbed ‘Enform’.

In the event of an airbag deployment, both systems will be able to contact the driver and emergency services if necessary. Using cellular and GPS signals, the location of the vehicle can be transmitted to a 911 operator, much like GM’s OnStar system.

In addition to safety services, Lexus’ Enform will add some more convenience features, such as weather reports, directions and data transfers, according to Automotive News.

Both systems are expected to hit the market in late summer 2009. An initial 12-month free trial will be included in the purchase of a new vehicle, but owners must pay a yearly subscription to keep the service after that.

Currently, Lexus offers a telematics system called Lexus Link, and from what Leftlane has gathered, the new Safety Connect and Enform systems are essentially a rebadged and upgraded system likely to be offered across both nameplates’ lineups.

At one point, GM licensed OnStar to Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen.

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01/07, 2:38 PM

posted by:

sj79

Toyota is the new GM

01/07, 2:47 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

In this case it would be more effective if the system called all the Toyota drivers dying of boredom before they fall asleep behind the wheel.

01/07, 2:58 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Toyota wishes it were GM. HAHA, Toyota sales fell much worse than GM! Toyota is focked!

01/07, 3:03 PM

posted by:

yarddog82abn

LOL…. GM is putting every one together with it’s OnStar, what a way to make a buck!

01/07, 3:04 PM

posted by:

Borat

Need more tax dollars for GM, Toyota costs us nothing! GM does!

01/07, 3:36 PM

posted by:

sj79

GM doesnt cost you a dime. The money they got loaned was already appropriated. Why are people so ignorant? Gm not getting money did not mean Borat was getting a tax refund. The money was either going to them or another company.

01/07, 3:37 PM

posted by:

MHW

Only 12 years behind the curve! oh well, as they say it’s better late than never.

01/07, 4:22 PM

posted by:

howsmydriving

Will Toyota’s system have the ability to eavesdrop on conversations in the car, as OnStar does? Will Toyota make the data collected by its system available to insurance companies to the detriment of motorists, as GM has planned to do?

01/07, 4:26 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Good luck Toyota. Everything else you copied from GM has been halfassed sh1t, why would this be any better.

Leave it to Toyota to play catchup. The Amercian Revolution is kicking ur ass

01/07, 5:50 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Who the hell needs onstar Yea I would rather have some idiot in a cubicle direct me that a screen in the car
This is going backwards

01/07, 5:53 PM

posted by:

Get Real

Don’t forget the original OnStar is already obsolete by GM and dead to the world.

01/07, 7:16 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Yea MHW Toyota is behind (look up sarcasm) Instead of building long lasting reliable cars 12 years ago Toyota should have invested money into an Onstar system
Why bother staying ahead of the curve in technology and quality
When is the Volt coming out again ???? Which company was sucking off congress for a balilout ???

12 yrs behind huh ??

01/07, 7:23 PM

posted by:

tyler_is_aero_tt

NMOFGM Toyota is going to pass GM as the US’s largest auto maker next year. GM still can’t build vehicles that can last for even 5 years. Get your facts straight.

01/07, 7:31 PM

posted by:

moparsalesman

dont you know toyota is completely original and best vehicles out there

01/07, 9:42 PM

posted by:

MHW

I said that specifically for your benefit 1115, I knew you would get your panties in a twist over that one. You’re way too predictable lol!

01/07, 10:39 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Well first off you still never shut me up and you’re still mad over it lol so I guess that made you feel better..Its ok I understand
GM vehicles aren’t reliable nor are they safe so its best that they have a system that will call an ambulance when the car is in an accident, if the roof flies off or if it catches on fire even while in your garage and burns your home down (In the other thread i was able to attach a link and not lie about it lol)
MHW tried 3 more times in this post and the same thing happens” The last link didn’t work HA

01/07, 10:57 PM

posted by:

gtohhh

LexusLink is a re-badged OnStar. The system was completely designed and implemented by OnStar. LL needs to check their facts.

01/07, 11:35 PM

posted by:

salmon8ter

Need more oil for Gm! You are a big douchebag, you obviously have the education of a retarded 2nd grader. All the comments you made are out of pure idiotic patriotism to a brand that has been in the dump for the past 30 something years. Toyota has built a reputation of quality and efficiency that GM can only dream of. Your American Revolution Illusion is kicking it’s own ass right to Chapter 11. And MHW, you’re about as smart as a retarded 3rd grader. At least you’re not as dumd as NMOFGM….yeah!

01/08, 12:11 AM

posted by:

MHW

That’s because everyone knows you have chronic diarrhea mouth, I already explained that fact yesterday. Please inform me of what post you are talking about because I did not see any direct links posted by you anywhere. I see you need me to send you a dated pic of my linked post in the SRX thread after all. You still have nothing to say about the CTS having the highest resale value in the full-size car class by the way. I don’t know how old you are but you honestly come across as a punk teenager who thinks he knows everything and can’t be told a anything. No matter what you are told it somehow doesn’t sink in, seriously, are you stupid? You have used the same worn out arguments on this board for years. I have had a far better experience with my GM’s than my Japanese car. No matter how many times you sing your old song and dance it will not change that fact. Reliability has been a non issue for years now anyway, the difference between the very worst to the very best is insignificant in real world terms. The only thing that makes me mad is your complete ignorance.

01/08, 12:13 AM

posted by:

MHW

salmon8ter, who are you? and why should I care what you think?

01/08, 12:53 AM

posted by:

darkwingduck

Toyota’s are boring cars. They make great cars, but nothing I would think to get excited over.

01/08, 8:47 AM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

THere is a lot of ignorance here. Toyota is crap plain and simple. GM is too far ahead of the curve for any automaker to catch. One by one, they all drop like flies, anhiliated by the American Revolution. Toyota will be buying vehicles from GM and rebadging just to stay in business. That’ll last about a week and then poof! Toyota is dead. Americans would rather drive a GM product than a POS sushiwagon

01/08, 8:59 AM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Again salmon8ter, who are you? and why should I care what you think?

01/08, 9:07 AM

posted by:

BradYourCarGuy

Whoever pointed out that OnStar is becoming obsolete is correct. Its good to see Toyota continuing to improve their poduct though and maybe this will help to motivate GM to update their system as well.
What’s even better is to see Ford not allowing theiur STNC system to become obsolete by adding new features to it this model year.

01/08, 10:38 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

You still have nothing to say about the CTS having the highest resale value in the full-size car class by the way- I already said the TL has a higher resale than the CTS over the years and that Honda is the best brand so…….. CTS means nothing. Also I told you that the top ten didnt have a D3 car in it

As far as stupidity you are the one who cant put a link in a post and then you chose to lie about it and then play “stupid” when I confronted your stupidity and lies lol

Same old song and dance -Yes it will be the same until things change. When GM Ford Have PROVEN their worth and their reliability ratings and resale increase then my tone will change. I am consistent and that is better than changing my story post to post or telling lies or repeating questions that I have addressed three times already

I have posted the link to the SRX thread already as well as links to the NHTSA investigation into the GM trucks You told me to try it and I did so you are a fool

I agree if you are buying D3 cars, reliability isnt an issue because they have none

Thanks

01/08, 12:52 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

So 1115’s off his medication again?

01/08, 12:59 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

As a BTW, I had to take a rather lenghty trip in my new G8 the other day and used Onstar turn by turn nav for the first time. I was actually quite impressed. I mean, it was probably cooncidence that it gave me the EXACT directions to my brother in law’s house that he had already given me – but it mutes the radio and tells you that a turn is coming up, displays the distance to the turn, and then beeps when you’re right there, plus the driver’s information center displays an intersection diagram and distance to the next turn. All this was done for me while I was driving. I didn’t need to take my eyes off the road or stop to set it up.

I’m sure Toyota will have that and more. But it is interesting they they didn’t have it 5 years ago.

01/08, 1:45 PM

posted by:

SageCallahan

LOL, NMOFGM, you think there’s ignorance in here and yet you still say Toyota is “crap, plain and simple”. Try keeping your plant’s open and stop getting bailouts before you decide to lunge at other companies.

01/08, 3:19 PM

posted by:

MHW

Looks like the joke is on you 1115, your links are not showing up just like mine didn’t. Sure you can see it, but nobody else can. Try logging off and you will see what everyone else does, nothing! You are just like a big bag of wind to me, and will continue to be until you can back up your blah blah with your own real world experiance. I have driven GM for 14 years and all have had awesome reliability unlike my first, only, and last Japanese car that I own.

01/09, 2:03 AM

posted by:

cereal

Hell, sounds like this ‘Enform’ just took Toyota’s ‘Safety Connect’ (creative, Toyota) and added a few features from the new MS Sync. Eh.

And hell, if GM goes under, at least some one will still have this… type of thing.

-eat your cereal

01/09, 11:57 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

How funny Anyway the links are there pretending not to see it wont make it go away.
Well looks like you are still an asshole bc you lied about posting you links now all of the sudden 3 days later you cant see any. HMMMM

If you have been poor enough oops I mean lucky enough to own an American car for 14 years trouble free(another lie) then congratulations but you are in the minority. Most people have had shiity american rides and “awesome” (since you talk like you are 15) reliability with Honda and Toyota. It is shown in ……you know the story I dont believe anything you say anyway and evidence supports what I just said earlier

Toyota and Honda didnt want or need Onstar bc the map does everything and more. GM spent time making Onstar but forgot to make a safe reliable car OOPS

Hey Injuraiv how are you buying new cars when your “niche” band will be no more You will look great puling uip in a G8 at the soup line

01/09, 4:29 PM

posted by:

Timellini

Need more oil for GM is such a good flamer that I almost wet myself when I read her posts. The only race GM leads is the one of who will run out of money first.

01/09, 6:12 PM

posted by:

MHW

I know you are a bit slow so let me make this simple for you. When you post a link on leftlane you are the only one who see’s it, both your post and link do not attach to the thread. I can still see my own original working link and post in the SRX thread, but since leftlane automatically filters links no one else can. As I already explained to you, if you log out as 1115 and go back to the place you claim to have posted your links you will no longer be able to see them. The reason I invited you to post your own links was to prove this point. I am over it, you are just like talking to a blank wall.

 
 
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