Mandatory Onstar?

[Polo08816]

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07/buick-and-gmc-models-get-mandatory-3-year-onstar-and-connected-services-plan/#:~:text=While%20these%20plans%20are%20currently,or%20GMC%20vehicle%20going%20forward.

The available OnStar Connected Services plans allow GM owners to get the most out of their vehicle by providing a constant high-speed internet connection for navigation, music streaming and more. While these plans are currently optional on GM vehicles, a three-year OnStar & Connected Services Plan will be mandatory with the purchase of a new Buick or GMC vehicle going forward.

Is this confirmed?

 

[altona]

Yes. Try building a 2022 Yukon. Uncheck the $905 Onstar box and it forces it back on.

 

[Stbentoak]

This is simply overreach by GM. Any data plan/OnStar should be optional. I will say I have it and use it and without it the system just doesn’t do the things you need. But it shouldn’t be forced.
Could have possibly influenced my decision to even buy this vehicle…
Bad move by GM…..
Beyond all this it is grossly overpriced! I pay 290 a year and on my wife’s vehicle it is 120 a year, data included.

 

[Sparksalot]

How else is the gubmint going to get their remote kill switch?

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Well, even before it was “mandatory” you were basically forced into it because the function of the vehicle basically is neutered without it once you got to 2022. The flaw I see is that they actually include it as a mandatory option. Seems like a better marketing move would have been to raise the price the right amount and just include “3 years of OnStar and Connected services.”

If you want my opinion on the real reason, I believe it is because they want to sell vehicles now with incomplete software and have a way to push those software updates to the buyers later. This enables that…but we will never know for sure.

 

[bunky319]

Yeah noticed this when the 2023 order banks were first opened. Basically it raised the retail price of my 2023 Yukon XL SLT order by $1500. Really sucks. What's really strange (IMO) is that this requirement doesn't appear to apply to the Tahoe/Suburban. So effectively my Yukon XL price went up $1500 but my comparable Suburban build stayed the same.

 

[Geotrash]

Most new premium cars now have a SIM card in them for updates and other data services, so some of the Onstar fee no doubt goes to wireless carriers for the associated number and access services. But GM's high cost for Onstar remains an outlier. Tesla's basic connectivity for the updates to the car itself is free, and their 'premium' service that includes navigation, video streaming and other services is only $10/month which seems very reasonable compared with Onstar. GM has been pushing Onstar for 2 decades and it seems that they're now pushing it to their peril. This will piss off a lot of customers.

 

[Quark]

If high gas prices and horrendous quality problems haven't convinced buyers then this won't either. Lower your expectations and bite the bullet you know you want it.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Yeah noticed this when the 2023 order banks were first opened. Basically it raised the retail price of my 2023 Yukon XL SLT order by $1500. Really sucks. What's really strange (IMO) is that this requirement doesn't appear to apply to the Tahoe/Suburban. So effectively my Yukon XL price went up $1500 but my comparable Suburban build stayed the same.

The article referenced above does say Buick and GMC models.

I think the failure on this was just not "pricing it in" and adding to the list of "features" included.
GM did a disservice to itself by itemizing the pricing. Oh, and only having 4GLTE, not 5G!!!

 

[bunky319]

The article referenced above does say Buick and GMC models.

I think the failure on this was just not "pricing it in" and adding to the list of "features" included.
GM did a disservice to itself by itemizing the pricing. Oh, and only having 4GLTE, not 5G!!!

Agreed. My point is many people shopping for the Yukon/XL are most like cross-shopping against the Tahoe/Suburban. This instantly creates another substantial price difference. I can only assume GM is trying to create additional distinctions between GMC and Chevrolet.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Agreed. My point is many people shopping for the Yukon/XL are most like cross-shopping against the Tahoe/Suburban. This instantly creates another substantial price difference. I can only assume GM is trying to create additional distinctions between GMC and Chevrolet.

At least this one is obvious.

 

[Reels]

Just ordered a 2023 Ultimate last week and it was a mandatory charge.

3 years of OnStar Safety and Security $905

 

[Ketzer]

I can understand and deal with the initial 3 years on a premium product with enhanced features....BUT, having it tied to more basic features that I might not be able to access if I decide not to continue the subscription would be very very bad...

Does anyone know what you lose if you discontinue Onstar after the 3 years?

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I can understand and deal with the initial 3 years on a premium product with enhanced features....BUT, having it tied to more basic features that I might not be able to access if I decide not to continue the subscription would be very very bad...

Does anyone know what you lose if you discontinue Onstar after the 3 years?

Your Navigation is neutered a bit (no traffic, I think), although there was some discussion about ability to hotspot the head unit to your phone and use it's data connection. Perhaps someone w/ a Chevy who decided to let it expire can say more (I am still in my "included 3 years").
You cannot download and store offline maps, and thus your speed limit sign on the dash and in HUD will show "--" all the time.
You will definitely lose the ability to start/lock/unlock/flash lights from the phone app.
Obviously you lose all the OnStar features like crash response, stolen vehicle assist, vehicle locate, etc..
The On Board WiFi hotspot obviously won't be active.
Google Assistant won't work to set A/C, Change Radio Stations, Ask for Directions, etc.

Those are the main ones I can think of...

The even more curious thing about this whole move is that there is not even an option on the Chevys to add this.

I am no marketeer, but my way of marketing it would have been:
1) Make it standarad on Buick and GMC (3 years OnStar connected services Included), adjust base price accordingly
2) Make the Option a true Option on the Chevys, and maybe price it slightly more than the "included" price increase on the GMC.

This would:
a) make buyers of the uplevel brands feel like they were getting more value for their premium pricing
b) possibly encourage buyers of Chevy to also take the 3 years of services.

Instead, we all know what the general did, and here we are with people upset. I feel like this is New Coke all over again.

 

[Wileybird03]

Just ordered a 2023 Ultimate last week and it was a mandatory charge.

3 years of OnStar Safety and Security $905

Has your order been accepted by GM yet? Been waiting a year for a gmc ultimate. They shoot you a price? Thx

 

[Thomas Schneider]

I sometimes have a hard time understanding all this disdain for OnStar and what it can do for our personal safety. Of course I get it that people don't want to pay for these services for a number of their own personal reasons, so I get that part. At the age of 73, I embrace improving technology and am willing to pay for all those safety features offered for what I personally need and is actually why I upgraded to my 2021 Tahoe Z71 to get them. For me, I guess it's my aviation background as a former pilot and Air Traffic Controller that witnessed many, many improvements over the years from "beacon slashes" to full blown data blocks on our radar screens and from manual to automated hand-offs to other ATC sectors, not to mention all the warning systems (e.g., terrain warning systems, etc.) that evolved. I pay $57.98 a month for OnStar for my 2014 Corvette and 2021 Tahoe. Now that doesn't include a data plan, but I do get all the safety features. I agree that it would be nice to have a 3 year plan come standard to give people a longer chance to make up their mind to continue or not, or reduce to a plan suitable for their needs. My Nav is either Apple or Google Maps, which works fine for me as neither vehicles has a HUD.

Sorry for the rant, but thought I'd offer an "old guy" perspective. Thanks.

 

[Vinnoto1]

Just ordered a 2023 Ultimate last week and it was a mandatory charge.

3 years of OnStar Safety and Security $905

How much was the 23 ultimate priced at if you don’t mind me asking. I just updated my denali xl with almost no pckages for 89, previously in March my loaded 22 was only 86.

 

[Callen841]

How much was the 23 ultimate priced at if you don’t mind me asking. I just updated my denali xl with almost no pckages for 89, previously in March my loaded 22 was only 86.

92k for a shorty , 95k for the XL. These were for the 6.2L, I did not see what the 3.0s were…. Of note, they are being stingy with the allocations on these and the wait will likely be closer to 12 mo from order (ymmv).

 

[CASTLEDFW15]

Probably got wind of BMW testing out a subscription service in Korea……for get this…Power Windows…….Yes Pay for the feature in the MSRP then have to pay a subscription to use the feature that you paid for already. I can see them trying it here….it will take ALL Americans to not pay for the service….and when your trapped in the vehicle because of the subscription based safety feature…….get BMW a few lawsuits with the US LEgal system that should take care of that program……..Still being double charged for a feature that is advertised.

 

[Reels]

Model Year: 2023 Division: Yukon XL: 4WD Ultimate Trim MSRP: $98,950.00 MSRP W/DFC: $100,745.00

Options
Tire Pressure Monitor $50
Super Cruise $2,200
Enhanced Trailering Technology Package $750
Titanium Rush Paint $450
3 years of OnStar Safety and Security $905
Freight/Destination Charge $1,795