More than 29,000 users have subscribed to Shanghai General Motors Co.'s OnStar in-vehicle communication services in China since the service was launched here in December.

OnStar President Chris Preuss predicts that Shanghai OnStar – a joint venture among General Motors Co., Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. and Shanghai GM – will have nearly 200,000 Chinese users by the end of the year.

"OnStar has surpassed all of its competitors and become the leading in-vehicle communication service provider in China," said Preuss during a presentation at the World Expo in Shanghai.

While Preuss is optimistic about OnStar's prospects in China, it has struggled elsewhere. GM offered the service in Europe for a while before shutting it down in 2001.

In North America, OnStar has provided service to some non-GM brands. In China, OnStar will not be available on SAIC's in-house brands or other non-GM models.

Currently, OnStar is available in the Cadillac Escalade and SLS, plus the Buick Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal and Excelle XT. The service is not yet available for Chevrolet models.

For the first year, Shanghai GM will provide the telematics service free to customers with OnStar-equipped vehicles.

In China, OnStar currently provides vehicle diagnostics, stolen-vehicle location, remote door unlock, remote horn and lights, roadside assistance, hands-free calling, a guide to points of interest, turn-by-turn navigation and emergency response if the airbag deploys.