GM will fit brake override system to all US vehicles from 2012

By Matt Brogan | April 06th, 2010

Following recent announcements that both Mazda and Toyota will fit brake override systems to their future vehicles, comes news from the US today that General Motors will follow suit.

GM says the decision was made in light of Toyota’s recent recall issues, and that it intends to have an advanced brake override system installed on all of its models from 2012. Toyota will have a similar system installed on its new vehicles by the end of next year.

“News media analyses of government data consistently validates that GM’s safety record on this issue is among the strongest in the industry,” said Tom Stephens, Vice Chairman of GM’s 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.”

Some of GM’s current models already feature the technology, known as Enhanced Smart Pedal, which cuts engine power if it is detected that the throttle and brake are being applied simultaneously. So far the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CTS-V already include the technology as standard equipment.

milobob

Hopefully these systems won’t override at the wrong time causing even more accidents!
AB

I think these brake over-ride systems will be more dangerous and annoying for road users than the ‘one in 10 million’ chance that your car will accelerate unintentionally.

I occasionally brush the brake pedal accidentally due to size 13 feet and a tight pedal box.. does this mean I will lose power everytime this happens? And how long does it take the engine to recover.

If these systems becomes absolutely required, why not set them up so they only activate above 50% brake application???
Lazybones

So an electronic nanny to manage the existing electronic nanny..hmmmm….very smart. But how will it coupe with fakers like the Toyota bloke who was unable to put his car into netrual even after emergency services told him to do so on the phone.
davie

No heel and toe action then?

Frenchie

No sling shotting around corners.
Shak

I dont think it applies to manual cars, because of the reason you stated.

Camski

I’m assuming this system only kicks in when it detects the brake pressed to the floor, and the accelerator also depressed, at any position.

I doubt it would kick in if you just pressed it lightly, or even at 50% depression, because this system should only kick in as a last alternative (otherwise as has been said, more accidents could be caused – also noting AB’s comment).

The other way I can see it working is if the system is designed to detect when the engine would overpower the amount of braking pressure currently being applied. So say you applied 25% throttle and only 10% braking pressure, the system would kill the power to the engine.
Philthy

Why are some manufacturers so slow to the Party? My 2006 VW has an override on the electronic throttle. It cut’s power after a couple of seconds on the brake pedal, so you still can heel and toe if you feel like being a race car driver.

I have no idea why a brief cut in power while you have your foot on the brake pedal is so dangerous?? Seriously, catch up GM.
Mad Max

The car makers are only protecting themselves from lawsuits and trying to appease the governments that probably represent a large portion of their sales.
Having spent a large amount of my working life in the states, I can tell you for certain that most Americans have their Lawyers phone number on speed dial and would probably ring them first when they have a problem (like the Toyota issue) with the car. The rest of us would ring the dealers service centre first…
Hjalle

Why are GM so slow? The end of 2012? Toytoa have the ability to put it in their cars at the end of next year, thats a whole year faster than GM. What are they doing?

Shak

Mate its not ability, they are being forced to by the US congress. GM are doing it of their own accord. They are doing it as a move to show people they are more considerate than Toyota.