Detroit’s “Big Three” never miss the chance to take a dig at each other when the opportunity arises. And for General Motors, the opportunity came with the recovery of a stolen 2006 Chrysler 300 that was equipped with the firm’s OnStar FMV [For My Vehicle] in-car wireless communication system.
This is the first recorded case of a non-GM vehicle fitted with the aftermarket mirror, which encompasses the OnStar system, that was stolen and recovered by the police since the company introduced it into the market earlier this spring.
“OnStar advisors typically assist in the recovery of more than 500 stolen General Motors’ vehicles each month, but helping to recover a competitor’s stolen vehicle is a new undertaking,” GM said in a statement.
The company says that the owner of the recovered Chrysler, Jean Franklin of Gresham, Oregon, bought the system and fitted it on her car on December 16. Just two days later, on Sunday, December 18, Franklin called OnStar to report that her vehicle had been stolen.
According to GM, OnStar then provided the Gresham Police Department with the vehicle’s location and officers were able to pull over the car and apprehend the suspect within 64 minutes of the original call.
“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.”
GM says that OnStar Advisors have offered Stolen Vehicle Assistance services more than 58,000 times in the company’s history.
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