Opel says its OnStar service has expanded into 18 additional markets, featuring 19 languages.

Specifically, OnStar will now be available in: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden. Also, the roll-out of the Wi-Fi hotspot service continues, with Austria, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Portugal and Romania joining existing markets (Germany, Netherlands, Spain and the UK).

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Since August 2015, Opel OnStar has recorded more than 5.5m interactions with customers who make contact by phone, smartphone app, the OnStar website or the blue OnStar service button.

Up until October, Opel OnStar received around 880,000 calls from customers and sent 830,000 monthly vehicle diagnostics emails. On the internet, customers logged into the dedicated Opel OnStar web portal more than 1m times and launched the app more than 3.1m times.

Currently every second new Opel delivered features OnStar.

“The large number of interactions since the launch demonstrates how much customers appreciate the peace of mind and convenience that Opel OnStar adds to the driving experience,” said Opel CMO, Tina Müller.

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Opel is keen to point out OnStar connects customers to a competent advisor and not a machine.

Opel OnStar not only automatically responds to crashes and helps locate stolen vehicles; the personal connectivity and service assistant also remotely locks or unlocks doors, downloads driving routes directly to the factory-installed navigation system and sends emails on vehicle health. Subject to the market, an additional 4G/LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is optionally available.

The most popular service, with about 3.1m launches, is the myOpel smartphone app, which users can download from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store respectively.

The app’s most frequently used features so far are remote locking/unlocking of doors, online vehicle location and honking the vehicle’s horn and flashing the lights. Customers can also call up important data such as oil life or tyre pressures, send destinations to the in-car navigation system (if installed) and manage the additional Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows up to seven devices to connect to the vehicle.

Via OnStar and the myOpel app, drivers can programme the car’s onboard navigation system from a smartphone. They enter the destination on their phone or select it from the address book and send it to their car at the push of a button.

Separately, drivers can now add useful comments to the Vehicle Location function and a photo to help them find the car again. In order to avoid parking fines, myOpel users can set a timer to remind them when the parking time expires.

Opel OnStar additionally assists vehicle owners and police in case a vehicle with the system is stolen. Stolen Vehicle Assistance enables Opel OnStar to work closely with police to recover the car quickly and safely and return it to its rightful owner.

Ignition Block allows Opel OnStar to send a remote signal to the vehicle, which prevents the engine from starting once it has been reported stolen.

Opel OnStar is optional or part of the standard equipment with selected trim levels on all Opel passenger cars.

Usage of the service is free of charge during the first 12 months, followed by an annual subscription fee (EUR99.50/US$104 in Germany). Subject to availability, the Wi-Fi hotspot service can be tested free of charge for up to three months or 3 GB of data volume usage.

Opel adds Wi-Fi, when it becomes available, will require OnStar to be activated. Wi-Fi data connection will not be supplied by OnStar and mobile network operator terms and conditions will apply.

Charges will apply after an applicable free trial period with coverage and availability varying by location and conditions.