New General Motors Touchscreen Turns Car into Smartphone

The option will be available in select Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles

From the touchscreen in some new General Motors cars, drivers can now get directions, listen to articles and even order food.

The touchscreen features the new GM Marketplace and other apps which allow drivers to view restaurant menus and order food directly from the car.

The technology essentially turns your car into a smartphone.

General Motors said they developed the technology to keep drivers safe by keeping them off their phone while driving.

“Most of it is going to be more playback of radio and news articles, you're not necessarily going to be shopping while you're driving,” said Tony Maravill of Marvin K. Brown Cadillac in Mission Valley. “It's just basic, basic offers.”

But some doctors worry the touch screen technology will take the driver’s mind, hands and eyes away from the road and cause more accidents.

“Data has shown that hands-free is just as dangerous as hand-held,” Dr. Linda Hill of UC San Diego said.

General Motors said it developed the Marketplace technology with in accordance with the driver distraction safety guidelines.

The option is available in 2017 and 2018 vehicles with 4G LTE connectivity. 

The initial brands available with the technology are Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Wingstop, TGI Fridays, Shell, ExxonMobil, Priceline.com, Parkopedia, Applebee's, IHOP and deliver.com.

Cadillac is owned by General Motors.

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