General Motors is expanding its famous mobile app service, OnStar, to the other models in its lineup. Soon the owners of most of the 2011 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles will be able to control key functions with their smartphones.

The announcement that comes today reveals GM’s plans to extend its technology that currently functional on the iPhone and Android systems, to its other vehicles apart from the Chevrolet Cruze and Cadillac CTS Coupe.  The brand-specific mobile apps will use OnStar technology to let owners remote start, blow horn and lights and lock/unlock doors without having to fall within a certain range of the car. Upon a secure login to the apps, users will also be able to readily access important vehicle information, such as current odometer reading, vehicle VIN and OnStar account number.

OnStar subscribers can also benefit from key diagnostic information, including fuel tank level and range, remaining oil life, current and recommended tire pressure and lifetime average miles per gallon.

The details will be “revealed in totality when the brands begin bringing their apps to market in the months ahead,” said OnStar in a statement.

“We’re working aggressively to bring the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC applications to market as soon as possible,” said Joel Ewanik, GM marketing vice president. “Because we know that each brand’s customers have different tastes, wants and needs, the apps will be very specifically tailored to offer them the services they value most.”

GM’s Onstar falls in line with Ford’s SYNC system which allows users to access social media and entertainment apps from their phones through the in-car system.

via autonews