Las Vegas - Jan 8, 2013 - General Motors is announcing a new flexible application framework at the Consumer Electronics Show that will allow drivers to add apps and features to their vehicle after the initial purchase, allowing vehicle infotainment systems to improve over time.

The framework enables new set of vehicle application programming interfaces, or APIs, for developers, allowing them to interact with and build upon the infotainment systems in GM vehicles.

`GM will offer developers a software development kit (SDK) through an online portal. This will allow developers to work with GM in a secure and controlled manner to design, test and deliver the most relevant, customizable and seamlessly integrated automotive apps. Until now, GM has only offered select developers access to remote APIs that interact with the vehicle via the OnStar system. The new SDK will expand the environment so that developers can work with the actual vehicle through the infotainment system.

The implementation of these apps is incorporated into new infotainment systems, debuting in select 2014 model year vehicles that will change how in-vehicle apps are offered. The systems' framework includes an app catalog that will allow vehicle owners to choose from a menu of available applications specifically designed for the in-vehicle experience.

GM demonstrated applications from four potential partners for the new app catalog: iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Slacker and The Weather Channel. The catalog, which is not yet available on GM vehicles, is expected to grow as GM gets ready to launch the new framework.

GM is using the HTML5 Java Script framework in its SDK as well.