Sunday, December 23, 2012
Where’s Santa? OnStar Follows His Trip from the North Pole
Kids can monitor Santa’s progress via OnStar technology
DETROIT– OnStar will help preserve the magic of this holiday season by enabling children everywhere to learn Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve with a simple press of the OnStar button, thanks to its collaboration with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) “Track Santa” program.
From 7:00 a.m. on Dec. 24 until 5:00 a.m. on Dec. 25, anyone with an active OnStar subscription can press the blue OnStar button in his or her vehicle to request a “Santa Update” and find out Santa’s current location.
“Each year, technology plays an increasingly important role in connecting friends and families, especially during the holidays,” said Neelie O’Conner, director of OnStar subscriber services. “For the fourth consecutive year, OnStar will be a part of this tradition, helping our customers connect with Santa during this special season.”
Using sophisticated systems like the North Warning Radar System and geo-synchronous satellites with infrared sensors, NORAD monitors Santa’s location on Christmas Eve. Children may also follow Santa with the NORAD Track Santa mobile apps.
“We had so much fun last year using OnStar to find out where Santa was throughout the night,” said OnStar subscriber Kim Miller. “Each time we got in the car, my children were excited to find out where Santa had traveled to next. It’s a great way to engage the whole family during Christmas Eve travels.”
Individuals without an OnStar subscription can visit www.noradsanta.org or dial 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) for Santa’s location.
OnStar, LLC (OnStar) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GM Holdings LLC (“GM”). Along with its affiliate Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd (a joint venture involving OnStar, Shanghai General Motors Co., Ltd (SGM) and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC)), OnStar serves more than 6.4 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China. OnStar is a provider of connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information technology and is available on 39 GM branded 2013 model year vehicles. OnStar's key services include automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance, remote door unlock, turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle diagnostics and hands-free calling.