PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Avis Rent A Car System announced plans to begin offering the OnStar Personal Calling service as an enhancement to the 7,000 OnStar-equipped vehicles already available with either complimentary, "Safe and Sound," or premium "Directions and Connections" level service.

OnStar Personal Calling offers hands-free, voice-activated cell phone service at the touch of a button. The new service provides additional peace of mind in the event a customer is in need of a cell phone, hands-free kit, phone battery, or is traveling in areas of limited reception.

"One of our goals at Avis is to help make travel as stress-free as possible for our customers," said Scott Deaver, executive vice president of marketing for Cendant Car Rental Group Inc., the parent company of Avis. "With the addition of OnStar Personal Calling to our fleet, Avis customers now have one more way to feel safe when traveling."

The standard OnStar service uses wireless and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to link the car and driver to a call center where advisors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OnStar services include automatic air bag notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency services, roadside assistance, GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostics, remote door unlock, routing and point-of-interest location.