Volkswagen has launched its new VW Car-Net service, which provides different convenience, safety, and vehicle status updates to the driver. VW Car-Net will be available on select 2014-MY Jetta, Passat, Tiguan, CC, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Eos models, according to the company.
Car-Net offers a number of features. They include Automatic Crash Notification, which automatically calls a VW Car-Net Customer Specialist to connect the driver with the Car-Net Response Center. The system also automatically transmits vehicle and location information to the Response Center.
Another feature is Roadside Assistance, which transmits the vehicle’s VIN and location to Volkswagen Roadside Assistance. Vehicle occupants can also use the VW Car-Net Mobile App to contact Roadside Assistance.
Agent Destination Assist is also part of the Car-Net service suite, where a user can ask a VW Car-Net Specialist to send directions directly to their vehicle. This service requires a factory-installed navigation system. Also, the driver can use VW Car-Net’s webs portal or the Mobile App to use this feature.
Other features include Stolen Vehicle Assistance, where Car-Net can help locate the vehicle and file a police report; Last Parked Location, which shows the last parked location of the vehicle on the Mobile Car-Net App; Remote Vehicle Status, which tells the user the status of vehicle doors, lights, sunroof, hood, convertible top (if applicable), and trunk via the Car-Net Mobile App or Car-Net Web Portal; and Service Appointment Scheduling, which allows a user to schedule vehicle service appointments at a dealer through a Car-Net Customer Specialist.
Car-Net offers all features as standard with a subscription. The automaker said users can access them by using the dedicated VW Car-Net buttons on the overhead console, by visiting the VW Car-Net Web Portal, or through the VW Car-Net Mobile App (when installed on an iPhone; the automaker said an Android app version is on its way).
Customers who purchase a vehicle equipped with Car-Net receive a six-month trial subscription at no charge. Subscription options after the trial include one-year, for $199; two years, for $378; three years, for $540; or month to month, for $17.99 per month.
