Onstar

Consumer Reports (CR) took a sampling of 204 OnStar subscribers to see how they used General Motors' telematics service, and then examined whether it is worth the monthly fee. CR discovered that only 63 percent of subscribers had ever pressed GM's vaunted blue button. Of those who did, 44 percent used OnStar's hands-free phone system, while 22 percent triggerd OnStar because they locked their keys in their vehicles or needed assistance for issues like flat tires.

If it weren't so forehead-slappingly stupid, it'd be hilarious. Oh, wait, nevermind... it is hilarious.

OnStar, the wholly-owned subsidiary of automaker General Motors, has announced that it grew to nearly four million subscribers in 2005, a thirty percent increase from 2004. And with surveys showing over seventy-five percent of current subscribers would want the service in their next vehicle and nearly ninety percent would recommend it to others, the company is looking forward to 2006.