GM Update Website In The Works

[codeman71]

Hey Camaro Folks. I have good news from GM. My boss gave me a call this morning to say that we have been approved to develop a website for GM to officially release updates for our vehicles for end users to udate their vehicles themselves. My vision for the site is:

• Allow users to register their vehicle and find any available updates and download them.
• Forum for things like what's covered here in the Electronics forum
• Have a list of compatable devices that have been tested.

But most of all we want this site to be a place for you, the customer, to get what you need from GM that we aren't providing you today. Post what you think would make a valuable site and any features that you would like to see implemented.

I don't know what the timeframe is for this site, but hopefully it'll have a quick turnaround. Thanks guys for hanging in there and supporting us as we get back to being focused on the customers.

[The_Blur]

Honestly, I thought you guys were always focused on your customers. I just figured you were asking us the wrong questions in focus groups and test markets. You guys do great work.

[Iwantone2]

It may be kind of hard to do, but maybe a list of dealers that are able to perform the updates in case the consumer is wary of performing the update themselves? (example: the PDIM install and update. most dealers had no idea there was an update available, or what a PDIM even was!)

[skuttduck]

The sooner the better. I'm so sick of my Camaro wiping the format off of my USB memory sticks that I am scared to even put another one in there!

Now as someone who works in IT like me and often has to go to websites, I think you are on the right track. Maybe "support.gm.com" as the website. Then you pick your car and model, or have it look it up by Vin. Maybe have the answerbase lookup for issues, and then have a link for customer downloads.

An online chat would be a bonus too.

Just to give you an idea I kind of based my ideas of what I think a functioning site is for support and downloads off of Dell's and HP's websites.

[Tal]

I like the idea, and while your effort sounds electronics focused I would suggest adding a section with all of the TSB's along with any recalls for the vehicle. Back on the electronics side having a detailed form to submit problems & incompatibilities that people come across seems like it'd be a good idea since there are so many mp3 and bluetooth devices GM can't possibly test more than a few of the most common ones. Being able to submit devices that people have used without problems for a list of user tested devices to supplement the list of GM tested would also be nice.

[Iwantone2]

Oh, how about an "In Progress" section? For example, if GM decides to give us a way to add Bluetooth to non-Bluetooth Camaro's without having to go aftermarket.

[2010 SSRS]

sounds good

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by codeman71

Hey Camaro Folks. I have good news from GM. My boss gave me a call this morning to say that we have been approved to develop a website for GM to officially release updates for our vehicles for end users to udate their vehicles themselves. My vision for the site is:

• Allow users to register their vehicle and find any available updates and download them.
• Forum for things like what's covered here in the Electronics forum
• Have a list of compatable devices that have been tested.

But most of all we want this site to be a place for you, the customer, to get what you need from GM that we aren't providing you today. Post what you think would make a valuable site and any features that you would like to see implemented.

I don't know what the timeframe is for this site, but hopefully it'll have a quick turnaround. Thanks guys for hanging in there and supporting us as we get back to being focused on the customers.

I think that's an excellent idea!!! I've been waiting for something like this to take shape for some time now. Computer companies have driver updates available online, when will the auto Industry? I think GM is one of the first, if not THE first, to do something like this!! Congratulations!

My suggestions are few:

• Make available TSB information as a sort of "mechanical update" extension of the site. So consumers can have the very latest of all updates for the vehicles. Or at the very least, notify drivers that a TSB exists for their car. Otherwise, most will never know, because some dealers don't even know!
• Link up with OnStar. So the OnStar diagnostics emails can alert drivers to any new updates available. This will help make the site more mainstream, and an integral part of the GM car/truck experience.

...and as sort of an extension to the OnStar comment above...would it be possible to install computer updates through the OnStar module? It would make updating the vehicle sooo much more easier.

Again, great idea and keep up the good work!!!

[BlackinBlack]

Sounds great.

As someone that has been in IT and has worked closely with IT manufactures I would suggest a beta group.

It would allow a focus group to help polish the website and also allow "real world" testing of applications and firmware before going full release.

I was involved with this for years with ATI (now AMD) and it was fun a rewarding to those that were in the beta group and also gave ATI a ton of great feedback on new driver releases. (It was amazing the number of bugs found by the beta testers.)

GM could do the same thing. It could start by giving a beta group early access to the new site. (and create a private forum for feedback.) The testers would be under NDA and after the site goes live they could test beta firmware updates and give feedback on bugs so they can be fixed before the release happens.

[CamaroSkooter]

If we were to download an upgrade, how would it get installed in the car? USB flash drive?

[CamaroScotty]

awesome news!

[Michael_Js]

I like it! thanks!

[ravensjeff]

Make it fool-proof.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by codeman71

But most of all we want this site to be a place for you, the customer, to get what you need from GM that we aren't providing you today. Post what you think would make a valuable site and any features that you would like to see implemented.

Just thought of another one.

Appearance will have a major effect on how people react to the site and their opinions of GM's implementation will follow. So I figure it would be cool if when you start the site, you get a simple screen that mirrors the GM.com home page. With 4 buttons: Chevy, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC. All in their own specific type style as GM does it.

Then, when you click on the brand, the site's appearance will change slightly to reflect which brand you've chosen. This could mirror the brand's respective websites, or you can design it from scratch.

Once again, good luck, and Great Idea!