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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Ic Cheung Lee, of South Korea, tests a touch-screen display at the LG booth at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Wednesday.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • While you're here, Joe, can you unclog this sink? 1/8/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, January 8, 2009 OnStar has a new rival Toyota introduces its own driver-assist program at the Consumer Electronics Show, which opens today in Las Vegas. Associated Press LAS VEGAS -- Toyota said Wednesday that it plans to roll out new safety and driver-assist programs on certain Toyota and Lexus models beginning late this summer. The new system was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show that opens today in Las Vegas. The conference will show off the latest in televisions, computers and other gadgets. Toyota's new programs mark the first major competition for Detroit-based General Motors' OnStar service since it started up 12 years ago. The Japan-based automaker said both the Toyota and Lexus versions will offer safety systems, while the Lexus version also includes driver convenience features such as directions to nearby destinations and a voice command program that can be used to control everything from the vehicle's satellite radio to its climate control system. Jon Bucci, vice president of advance technology for Toyota Motor Sales, said the new telematics programs are the product of the automaker's previous experience in Japan and years of work to develop its own proprietary technology for the United States. "We think this is a vital link to our customers," Bucci said. "It's part of nurturing the relationship with our customers and finding where the value of the brand can be increased and grown in different ways." With the launch, Toyota enters a market long dominated by OnStar, which currently has about 5.7 million subscribers. BMW and Mercedes also offer similar services, but not on the scale of OnStar. "It's not a surprise," OnStar President Chet Huber said of Toyota's announcement. "Frankly, if there was a surprise it's: What's taken so long for those folks to get their technology to get to the point where they can launch some base services?" Like OnStar's basic package, the safety systems for both Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles notifies a response center if the vehicle's air bag goes off, or if it's involved in a severe rear-end crash. Both services also include GPS tracking to find the vehicle if it's stolen and a special button that can be used to call for help in case of an emergency, or contact roadside assistance if the vehicle breaks down. That's where the similarities end. The basic OnStar system also includes hands-free calling, a diagnostic system that checks vehicle systems and a remote door unlocking system. An upgraded package also includes turn-by-turn directions and information about nearby services such as gas stations and restaurants. About 25 percent of OnStar customers opt for the upgraded services, Huber said. Bucci said Toyota opted against including a traditional hands-free phone, citing the use of Bluetooth technology in most vehicles, and noted that drivers can call for emergency help through the system's "SOS" button. Some of the other OnStar features -- including a destination assist program to help drivers find nearby points of interest such as restaurants -- will be included in the package for Toyota's luxury Lexus vehicles. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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