Bangkok--7 Apr--Weber Shandwick
General Motors will expand use of “enhanced smart pedal” technology globally to all passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control, providing an additional safeguard to enhance customer confidence.
Also known as brake override, the change involves modifying existing electronic controls to reduce power to the engine in cases where the brake and accelerator pedal are being depressed at the same time. The global rollout will be completed by the end of 2012.
Brake override is an additional safeguard because for the past several years, GM has had braking performance standards that apply to all cars, trucks and crossovers, requiring that the brakes can stop the vehicle within a specific distance.
“News media analyses of government data consistently validates that GM has had among the lowest rates of unwanted acceleration complaints among automakers,” said Tom Stephens, vice chairman, GM Global Product Operations. “At the same time, we know safety is top of mind for consumers, so we are applying additional technology to reassure them that they can count on the brakes in their GM vehicle."
The rollout plan balances the speed of implementation with validation needed to assure that customers feel no deterioration in drivability.
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
For further information, please visit www.gmthailand.com
and www.chevroletthailand.com or please contact:
Paphada Tuanghirunvimon / Satapana Karnjanaprakorn
Weber Shandwick
McCann Worldgroup (Thailand) Ltd.
Tel: 02 343 6057, 081 621 2404
Email:
[email protected] /
[email protected]
Or
Sasinan Allmand
Public Relations Director
General Motors (Thailand) Limited & Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) Limited
Tel: 0-2791-3400 Fax: 0-2937-0441
Email:
[email protected]