CES 2009: Dodge Journey to get OnStar-like features this summer
On our final night in Vegas, Hughes Telematics invited us over to talk about their work in... well... telematics. Among their demo vehicles was a Dodge Journey outfitted with what is essentially Chrysler's version of OnStar. The Journey will be Chrysler's first product with the service and should be available this summer.
We're not certain what name the new service will get, but it essentially offers the same basic services General Motors' vehciles have. Press a button on the rearview mirror and talk with an assistant at Hughes' own call center to unlock doors and provide directions. The system will also alert rescue agencies of an crash.
Pricing and exact date of availability are both unknown. Hughes reps said that their company is in talks with Chrysler to develop much more elaborate systems with many more features, some of which we were able to check out. We'll be able to post more on that later. But until then you can refresh on what Hughes Telematics told us at CES 2008.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumar 10:18AM (1/13/2009)
If it didn't have the dash of my 79 plymouth horizon, I would've been more interested, as it looks nice. Maybe Chrysler should take a cue from Subie and refresh interiors/options more quickly to retain interest (since Subie was one of two companies to post positive results last year ;)
Also, sitting in one, you feel so far back (with the windshield so far out) compared to the new Forester and VW Tiguan. Both of which, while not the best or best looking SUVs make you feel more connected to the car, versus the 'driving a boat' feeling from giant windshield/dash area.
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gforce 10:35AM (1/13/2009)
I expect they are reviewing all the interiors for improvement and the Journey would be no exception. As far as this feature goes, I expect it would go under the "UConnect" naming umbrella. "UConnect Assistance" maybe?
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Kumar 12:52PM (1/13/2009)
I see nothing wrong with a blatant VW interior ripoff at this point in the game for Chrysler. Sure, a car may look nice from the outside, but I'm more concerned with what's in front of me while I'm behind the wheel.
They're controls have always been pretty functional, just a big miss with the Journey.
BLS 10:35AM (1/13/2009)
Does the Journey have a Saab-like look to it to anyone else?
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Toledo Guy 11:42AM (1/13/2009)
Nope, it's just you....
I hope this is rolled out in conjunction with the interior upgrade.
Julie 10:45AM (1/13/2009)
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AngeloD 11:49AM (1/13/2009)
Chrysler already has a lot of hard work to do in overcoming the abysmal reliability of their vehicle electronic systems.
Adding even more complex electronic systems that will fail is a bad idea.
They ought to really concentrate on finding a better supplier for electronic control modules and wiring harnesses, and designers who can integrate them so they don't fail at 60K miles.
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Ligor 12:53PM (1/13/2009)
it's not hte supplier
it's their requirements
the supplier merely builds the minimum they can to meet the customer requirements (and hope to at least make a few pennies for each part they sell)
now Chrystler has adopted the Mercedes requirements which have been revised to much harsher conditions due to the M-B electronic failures that began back in 2003. they stil haven't recovered from that but their new spec is on par and is some cases worse that that used by Honda and Toyota
Now as long as Chrysler stops giving deviations to the specification to their suppliers the'll be up on quality, but if they accept the product with deviations based on same very strict timing, welll then having adopted this new spec woun't help
Frank 1:11PM (1/13/2009)
Ligor is right. a lot of people thought that Mercedes would help Chrysler with reliabilty after the "merger of equals", but what they didn't realize was that Mercedes reliabilty was worse than Chrylser's at the time (just look at the JDPowers charts). So now that Nickel and Daimler is gone you will see a upswing in the reliabilty of electronic components. I have owned several Chrysler products and even in the 80's their electronic systems were quite reliable compared to the competition. Same for the 90's. T
he best was when I replaced a digital electronic dash assembly in my LeBaron convertible. The car had over 200,000 miles and after 15 years the guage cluster went black. I didn't want to buy a new/refurbished one (dealer quoted me $400) so I went to a junkyard. The only convertible they had with a digital cluster had been sitting there for years - without a top. So the car got rained on, baked in the summer, and frozen in the winter. I took the cluster out, paid them 50 bucks, and put it into my car. It lit up the first time and all the gauges, english/metric setting, trip odometer, and warning lights worked.
inteller 2:20PM (1/13/2009)
and the march of Big Brother continues....
Sorry, i don't want factory installed tracking devices tied into government 911 systems.
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010111 3:26PM (1/13/2009)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xwE0rBDpg1Y/SU7eJhKMfwI/AAAAAAAACmc/SmHf8wRKskg/s1600-h/alfoil-car-funny.jpg
New Cars 3:08PM (1/20/2009)
I feel that Chrysler has definitely stepped up their game. Their body styles are more desirable, and overall they are making quality vehicles. I have rode in the Journey and thought it was very spacious and comfortable. I liked the windshield being out farther. I didn't feel so boxed in. You can find pictures and reviews about the Journey at http://www.autotropolis.com/Dodge/Journey/research.html
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Dan 11:24AM (3/12/2009)
I've had the Journey SXT for 2 weeks and about 500 miles. It's already been in the dealership for almost a week for an Service engine issue- Replaced O2 sensor and Power control module, now there trying harness.
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