LG Electronics (LGE) will exclusively supply communication modules for the `OnStar 4G LTE` to General Motors (GM). It is noteworthy in that the company is supplying the core system for GM`s connected car sold in the Chinese market as well as in North America and Europe.
In connection with the expansion of the OnStar service, GM`s global telematics service, LGE will secure a new automotive market as big as 10 million cars a year. LGE`s competitiveness in LTE communication technology, proven in the mobile market, is said to be making a soft landing in the automotive market as well.
“LGE (VC Business HQ) will exclusively supply the communication modules used for the OnStar service, the global 4G LTE telematics,” said Tim Nixon, GM`s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in charge of OnStar, in an exclusive interview at the ‘North American Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Chevrolet Press Conference’ held in Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, US on January 4 (local time). “The two companies will pursue a win-win strategy based on LGE`s 4G communication technology proven in the mobile market.”
OnStar is GM`s unique connected car service, which uses the built-in communication function to provide various services, such as emergency contact in an emergency like an accident, security service, vehicle diagnostics and navigation, to customers. GM has been working with AT&T since the 2nd half of 2014 to provide the OnStar 4G LTE service in the US market. GM is planning to put this function in 50 new models to be released by its brands within the year.
“Recently GM started the OnStar service in the European market too, and will soon expand the service territory to include the Chinese market, the world`s largest automotive market,” said Mr. Nixon. “In this process cooperation with LGE will be strengthened further.” Accordingly, LGE is forecast to supply the LTE communication modules for the vehicles bound for North America, China and Europe, GM`s main markets.
Mr. Nixon positively rated LGE`s entry into the automotive part market as well. “LGE` entry into the automotive part market will influence the entire automotive industry,” he added. “As automobile consumers` interest in connected car service grows, collaboration between auto makers and electronics companies will become more important.”
GM announced at this conference that OnStar` functions would be continuously expanded. The auto maker is also planning to start the service for getting the car to diagnose the state of automotive parts and automatically send the data to consumers in the 2nd half. It is said that this service is also based on the 4G communication technology capable of transmitting large data.
In the meantime, GM unexpectedly introduced the full-change model of `Volt,` the plug-in hybrid car, scheduled to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show next week, at this conference. Its detailed specs were not disclosed, but it was confirmed that the CES is becoming an important innovation stage for auto makers as well.