OnStar FMV helps recover stolen Chrysler 300

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Who knew that OnStar would one day help recover a GM competitor’s stolen vehicle? That’s precisely what happened to an owner of a Chrysler 300 in Oregon who purchased the new retail product called OnStar FMV.

For the record, OnStar advisors typically assist in the recovery of more than 500 stolen General Motors’ vehicles each month. So, helping to recover a competitor's stolen vehicle is indeed a new undertaking.

According to GM news release, on Sunday, Dec. 18, OnStar subscriber Jean Franklin of Gresham, Ore., used OnStar to help facilitate the recovery of her stolen 2006 Chrysler 300.

Franklin first called OnStar to report her stolen vehicle around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. After OnStar provided the Gresham Police Department with the vehicle’s location, officers were able to pull over the car and had the suspect in custody within 64 minutes of the original call.

For the record, OnStar FMV is the company’s new aftermarket system; and bought the system just two days before the incident. OnStar FMV, or For My Vehicle, comes standard with Stolen Vehicle Assistance, a security feature that allows OnStar Advisors to use the product’s internal GPS to pinpoint the location of a stolen vehicle that has been reported to authorities.

“The stolen vehicle feature is the reason I purchased [OnStar FMV],” said Franklin. “My car had been stolen before, so the police recommended I get it. I am much more comfortable now that the car has OnStar.”

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), is the leading provider of connected safety and security solutions, value-added mobility services and advanced information technology. Available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models, OnStar is now also available for installation on most other vehicles on the road through the new retail product called OnStar FMV (For My Vehicle).

TorqueNews reported on the system being sold though Best Buy a number of months back. Read: OnStar FMV makes Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) its first retail partner

Vehicle thefts have been a problem in Gresham. The FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report reported nearly a 27-percent jump in motor vehicle thefts there over the past year.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, winter is popular for vehicle thefts, with thefts on New Year’s Day leading the 11 major holidays.

OnStar Advisors have offered Stolen Vehicle Assistance services more than 58,000 times in the company’s history.

“OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance feature has proved remarkably effective through the years at reuniting owners with stolen vehicles,” said Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president, Business Planning and Development. “The important thing is helping get stolen cars recovered, whether that is a Chrysler, Ford, Toyota or any other make.”

OnStar FMV packs the core features of OnStar into a rearview mirror that can be installed in more than 90 million vehicles on the road. With an instant rebate that runs through December 31, OnStar FMV currently sells for $199 plus installation. Service plans for OnStar FMV start at $18.95 a month, or $199 a year.

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About the Reporter: After 39 years in the auto industry as a design engineer, Frank Sherosky now trades stocks and writes articles, books and ebooks via authorfrank.com, but may be contacted here by email: FrankS@TorqueNews.com

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OnStar FMV helps recover stolen Chrysler 300

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