Don't believe the hype: Volt can't be hacked via iPhone

General Motors' boffins say its clever connectivity system can't be phone-hacked, keeping drivers safe for virtual car jacking
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General Motors says it is yet to hear of any reports that its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid has been 'phone-hacked'.

The amount of battery charge, among other features, can be monitored by the vehicle owner via a smartphone application. But GM's boffins say they are confident there are sufficient security measures to ensure criminals – or the curious – cannot hack into the car's data via an unauthorised smart phone.

"We haven't had anything like that happen," said Volt communications manager Rob Peterson, visiting Australia to help Holden launch the Volt next year.

"Not even the customer can make a request directly into the car. It actually goes from your phone to a server, and then to the OnStar [satellite based customer assistance service] and then back. Your phone number is matched to the [Vehicle Identifying Number] on the car."

Volt owners can view the vital signs of their car on an iPhone and any Android phone, but the company is yet to develop an app for Blackberry users. This is ironic given that most GM executives run Blackberry phones.

Peterson said there had been some reports of phone connectivity problems, but no security issues.

"There are some reports of connectivity problems with some people having iPhone 4s, connecting to Bluetooth. But if you root cause it and start working backwards, you'll find that iPhone 4 also has other issues with connecting to other devices as well, and so it's not just the car, it's the device."