Suzuki Cavalcade (gv1400) Front Emblem on 2040-parts.com

GM expands brake-override safety feature

General Motors is significantly expanding the use of a brake-override safety feature in its cars through the end of 2012. GM announced on Monday that it will add the software, which it also calls “enhanced smart-pedal technology,” in all of its passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control. The change will reduce power to the engine when both the throttle and brakes are pressed at the same time.

Audi buys Ducati. Trophy or shrewd investment?

Audi buy Ducati It’s been confirmed that Audi is to buy Ducati, the Italian Super Bike maker, for an undisclosed sum thought to be around £700 million. Last month we reported that Audi has entered in to an exclusive agreement to buy Ducati, pipping Mercedes to the trophy super bike maker and adding a trophy to its cabinet. And the deal is now done.

Audi does Vegas

Rupert Stadler, chairman of Audi AG, became only the third car company executive to deliver a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show, and he did it--as all the best Toastmasters do--by starting with a joke. “When I received the invitation to speak here this year, I thought: why don't I bring a nice example of an electronic device made by Audi,” said the chair. “Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Audi E-tron Spyder concept car.