GM had a broadcast to dealers today about Bluetooth in the CTS. They are Calling it Bluetooth for Phone. The system is going to be installed at the factory in April. The system is very basic and is part of the Generation 8 OnStar module. All functions are controlled via the voice recognition system in the car, no menus on the NAV or special buttons. The system is initiated by pressing the voice recognition button on the steering wheel, the down arrow is used to disconnect a call. If your phone supports it you are able to place 3 way calls and use your phones voice recognition system. Otherwise you are limited to the 30 nametags you can store in the Onstar module or the dial command. 5 Phones can be paired to the system but only one phone can be connected to the vehicle at a time. GM said that the most common phones are currently validated for the system, and will be launching a website in April with a list of validated phones and the pairing instructions for each. All in all the system looks simple to use, but its not as advanced as i would like. I would like to see a system like in the STS but one that actually works. I want to control the system with the NAV not strictly by voice commands. One of the engineers appeared to be hinting at a more robust Bluetooth system in the future. We can only hope. Also, because this Bluetooth system is part of OnStar there is currently no way to add the system to a vehicle that was built without it. GM is still recommending the JCI BlueConnect for those of us early adopters whose cars were built without this new feature. They did say that they might revisit their decision if enought of us ask. So call Customer Assistance and make your voices heard. 1-800-333-4CAD
You know, I thought I would do the right thing and set an example for
everyone on this forum by calling the number in the post above and
expressing my disappointment in the fact that no retrofit was being
made available and that they should note the calls that are coming in.
That being said, I just can't believe the "dolt" I talked to on the phone
in the products department. Totally clueless is probably the best way
to describe him. Not only were all his responses read off a cue-card
("GM is always finding the best solutions for their customers") but he
had no idea about the press release or even the fact that the CTS didn't
have bluetooth.
I would suggest if you have nothing better to do than by all means go
ahead and call that number, but I have a feeling that it will do little good
in the long run.
I agree. Calling the 1-800 numbers was totally useless. The people representing Cadillac at this number should be more informed than the general public. Unfortunately this is not the case. Totally a waste of time.
Bluetooth capability will be a dealer-installed accessory for 2008 CTS models. There’s a very simple “pack” that dealers install quickly and easily to enable this capability. We’re investigating a more-comprehensive approach for subsequent years if consumer interest continues to grow in Bluetooth. But the CTS absolutely can support it for 2008. Stay tuned on this front. Cadillac will have some really interesting features to discuss later this summer that will be in the CTS right off the bat.
Keep checking back. I’ll get to more of your FAQs in the coming days.
Posted by Editor on April 25, 2007 10:55 AM | Permalink
So, if I am reading this correctly, there should be a "pack" that can easily
be installed in the '08 CTS to enable integrated bluetooth. This is great news,
but after the letdowns over the past few weeks I hesitate to get too excited.
Look forward to announcements pertaining to this "pack" over the next few months.
NJRonbo,
Look at the date of that release. It was 1 year ago. Still nothing, not even a rumor. So what do you think the chances are that there is any truth to that post? We've been let down many times before.
Re: Bluetooth is coming in April! 
