GM looks to enable control by voice

General Motors Co. is trying to get a jump on the competition for connected cars by enabling owners of many Chevrolet models to use voice commands to control Apple and Android applications on smartphones.

The program, starting this summer, includes the redesigned 2016 Cruze small car that debuts in June, GM said Wednesday. Most of Chevy's 2016 vehicles will be able to use the brand's MyLink infotainment system to access Apple Inc.'s CarPlay and six models will be set up to work with Google Inc.'s Android Auto.

There's no additional cost to car buyers for the compatibility. Drivers will be able to use MyLink's voice-recognition system to send text messages and access phone lists as well as functions such as Google Maps and Spotify Inc.'s music service.

"The more we can do for customers to make life simpler, to make technology compatible and do it in a way that doesn't cause distraction, I think we have a promising add to the customer, and they are going to want it," chief executive officer Mary Barra said at the annual Code conference on Wednesday in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

The largest U.S. automaker already has competition in offering the feature. Hyundai Motor Co. said Tuesday that its 2015 Sonata will be connected to Android Auto this year if the car has a navigation system.

With the new GM feature, car owners can plug their phones into the dashboard if they have Android 5.0 or higher or an iPhone 5 or 6.

"It's all about selling cars," said Alicia Boler-Davis, Detroit-based GM's senior vice president for global connected customers. The idea is to give drivers another reason to buy Chevys and get some of them to buy data packages from the automaker, which pipes an AT&T Inc. 4G connection into its cars.

GM plans to add the compatibility to Cadillac, Buick and GMC models shortly after the Chevy rollout, though it hasn't set a schedule for that. The automaker also will add more apps, after testing them to make sure they won't distract drivers, said Saejin Park, who works in innovation and portfolio planning for GM.

A similar announcement for the Opel brand will be made on Thursday, an editor with Re/code, which organized the California conference, said in a tweet.

The MyLink system with an 8-inch screen offered in Chevy Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro and Corvette cars; Colorado and Silverado pickups; and Tahoe and Suburban sport utility vehicles will be compatible with Apple CarPlay at the start of the 2016 model year and may be able to access Android Auto later in the year, GM said.

The 7-inch screen version offered in Chevy Spark, Cruze, Malibu and Camaro cars and Silverado pickups can link to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.