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Chevrolet Spark and Sonic Drive with Siri



2012-11-27



LOS ANGELES – Early next year, the Chevrolet Spark (1LT, 2LT) and Sonic LTZ and RS will integrate Siri, the intelligent assistant that helps get things done just by asking. Chevrolet made the announcement today at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.



Through the cars' standard Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, customers with a compatible iPhone* running iOS 6 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. To further minimize distraction, Siri takes hands-free functionality even further with an Eyes Free mode that enables users to interact with their iPhone using nothing more than their voice while keeping the device's screen from lighting up.



Owners simply connect their iPhone with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.



In the Spark and Sonic RS, owners can use Siri in Eyes Free mode to:



Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone

Play songs in the iTunes library, and even switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode

Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts

Access Calendar and add appointments

Minimize distraction even more by keeping the screen of the iPhone from lighting up, even when Siri answers simple questions such as game scores or the dates of national holidays

While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page.



"It says a lot about our commitment to small-car customers that Chevrolet has announced that Siri Eyes Free capability will be available in the Spark and Sonic well before the luxury brands," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director for small cars. "Safe, easy, reliable and portable connectivity is a top priority for our customers, and Siri complements MyLink's existing capabilities to help deliver an incredible driving experience."



Both the Spark and the Sonic also come with six months of OnStar's premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.



Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows OnStar subscribers to control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone. For more information on OnStar's services, visit onstar.com.



Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.



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Next-Gen MyLink System Debuts in 2014 Chevrolet Impala

Industry-first technologies provide intuitive, customizable driver experience



2012-11-27



LOS ANGELES – When the 2014 Chevrolet Impala goes on sale next spring, it will do much more than reinvent the brand's flagship sedan. It will be the first with Chevrolet's next-generation MyLink infotainment system, designed to be easy to use, highly customizable and capable of linking up to 10 devices.



The system represents Chevrolet's first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do. There are no key phrases to remember and no need to look at a screen. In addition to the touch screen, MyLink also can be operated via large, clearly labeled knobs or through integrated steering wheel controls.



Another first for Chevrolet is that the system can store up to 60 favorites including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media – a convenient feature, for example, for those who travel to the same destination regularly and want to save locations such as hotels and restaurants.



Even the graphic treatment of the instrument cluster and integrated stack can be customized to one of four distinct personalities, depending on who's behind the wheel – Contemporary, Edge, Velocity and Main Street.



"MyLink in the new Impala provides our customers with a total driver experience," said Nina Mital, next-generation MyLink program manager. "With the natural voice recognition, it's like having a conversation with your vehicle."



The system is designed to accommodate new features and enhancements, Mital said. The next-generation MyLink system also will be used in other 2014 model year Chevrolets including upcoming full-size trucks and SUVs and the Corvette.



Unlike previous systems, both the instrument cluster and the integrated center stack are configurable, giving the customer the ability to display infotainment controls in direct view if desired, without ever having to view the center screen. A microphone above the driver helps ensure voice commands are heard.



On the Impala's standard 4.2-inch high-resolution LCD screen or available eight-inch screen, customers will immediately notice the layout resembles a smartphone or tablet, with intuitive, easy-to-read icons. On the eight-inch screen, customers can fling through lists, swipe and click and drag just as they would on a tablet.



Those with compatible smartphones can pair them with MyLink using Bluetooth or a USB connection. This gives customers the ability to play passengers' music or other media through the vehicle's speakers.



Another new feature allows customers whose Impalas are equipped with available embedded navigation to enter destinations in a single step, without having to enter the state, city, street number and street name in successive efforts. City-by-city weather reports are also provided.



Customer preferences were studied globally during the next-gen MyLink development process. "We received a lot of good customer feedback and we used it to make enhancements to the system," said Mital.



Even OnStar accessibility expands. Besides the venerable Blue button, customers can access OnStar via the screen display.



The 2014 Chevrolet Impala includes six months of OnStar's premium Directions and Connections service. OnStar brings added safety, security and connectivity to these vehicles, including services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance.



Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows OnStar subscribers to control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone. For more information on OnStar's services, visit onstar.com.



Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.