(iStock)
GM, others add brake overrides to new cars
General Motors says it will install a new brake safety measure that can prevent unintended acceleration on all its new vehicles worldwide by 2012. GM joins BMW, Chrysler and Nissan in using the brake override technology. Toyota has also said it will use the technology in new Toyota and Lexus models by the end of this year. A brake override reduces power to the engine when the driver steps on the brake and accelerator simultaneously. The system also is intended to slow a vehicle if the gas pedal gets stuck. GM has not had major problems with unintended acceleration.
--Associated Press
(Indian Motorcycles)
Indian Chief bikes rolling once again
The classic Indian Chief motorcycle, prized for its fanciful fenders and American heritage, is back and finally ready to roll on the West Coast. First built in 1922 and in and out of production ever since, the Chief has been ridden over the years by actor Steve McQueen and other wealthy renegades. The overhauled Chief, which starts at $26,000, is already a sought-after ride in 16 states where it has been on sale since early this year. The first West Coast dealership, in Los Angeles, opens this weekend.
--New York Times News Service
2 Comments
By Okzken on April 17, 2010 7:34 PM
Let's see, you MAKE yourself lift up your right foot from brake pedal and position it over the gas pedal (even when the car is most likely at higher speed because of the stuck accelerator) and position your left foot over the brake pedal, doing that you might have to take your eyes off the road to make sure your LEFT foot can find the brake pedal (remember you're never to use your left foot for braking?), you then step on both pedals with both feet, at the same time or one first and then the other, by then if that work, your body would be leaning forward pushing your left foot to press even harder on the brake pedal, at that time you could be skidding out of control - especially if at that moment the accelerator unstuck itself.
I say they should design it this way that when you step on the brake hard and long enough at a higher travel speed as is in the case of stuck accelerator, it will automatically reduce the engine to idle or just enough RPM to resume cruising once you get out of the situation.
Is this too complicate to design such system, or not.
By Terry Parkhurst on April 18, 2010 11:40 AM
Let's hope that, this time, Indian motorcycles can survive. There was another, recent attempt to resurrect the marque - circa 1999 through 2003.
Whomever is doing that, in the midst of a new motorcycle market that saw sales drop 41 percent last year, deserves respect for having the courage to persist; and take a chance on the future, with an eye towards the past