Free for five years on 2020 model Volvo cars, the company’s concierge-style service is now available in South Africa.

Volvo On Call (VOC) is an app-based service that helps motorists to communicate with their cars and facilitates a multitude of tasks such as allowing motorists to remotely lock or unlock the doors to their car, check the fuel level from their office desk and cool or heat their car before they get it – and they can do this all via their smartphone, smartwatch, tablet or desktop.

According to Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa, Volvo on Call is a key to the digital world.

“One app, gives Volvo drivers control over their car’s functions. It also provides access to a world of convenient services,” he says.

“It becomes your personal assistant. It can tell you about the best coffee spots in town and send the destination to your car’s navigation system. It knows when you have appointments, where they are, and how to get you there.”

South African motorists will particularly appreciate the associated safety and security benefits.

“Motorists who forget to lock their car will get a notification message and Volvo On Call automatically contacts the emergency services if you are involved in an accident and tells them where you are.”

Other capabilities of Volvo On Call include the ability to provide an in-car WiFi hotspot, which can be accessed by everyone in your car.

“You can stream music and films to the car,” says Maruszewski, adding: “The app will show you the location of your car on a high-definition map, and then provide directions on how to reach it. You can even ask your car to hoot and flash for five seconds to identify itself and guide you to its location,” says Maruszewski.

Drivers of vehicles other than Volvos can download the app for free and try it in demo mode.

Volvo On Call is a standard feature in South Africa with effect from model year 2020 Volvo derivatives. It is entirely free of charge for five years. Thereafter, it can be extended for a small fee.