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May 07May 15, 2003
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This Week:

• Lightning Strikes As Centenary Concept Demonstrates Vauxhall Renaissance

• 7G-TRONIC: Mercedes-Benz presents the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars

• Toyota V8 Engine Production Begins In Alabama

• BMW Group Sales to End of April Remain Stable

• Ford Opens New R&D Centre In Windsor For Engine & Transmission Testing

• Mercedes-Benz unveils the Viano and the new Vito

• General Motors Will Equip 2004 Model Year 15-Passenger Vans With Vehicle Stability Enhancement System

• 2003 Honda Odyssey and Accord Coupe Achieve All-Around Five Star Safety

• GM Demonstrates Hybrids And Fuel Cell Vehicles In Green Transportation Event: Tour De Sol

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General Motors Will Equip 2004 Model Year 15-Passenger Vans With Vehicle Stability Enhancement System
 

StabiliTrak Helps Drivers Maintain Vehicle Control During Demanding Conditions Warren, Mich. - General Motors will begin installing vehicle stability enhancement systems in GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express 15-passenger vans during the 2004 model year production cycle. "By adding this system, we will take what we believe is already a very safe vehicle and make it even better," said Ray Chess, GM vehicle line executive, commercial trucks and vans. "This enhancement underscores GM's leadership in bringing this important safety technology to more customers than any of its competitors."

The system will be standard on all 15-passenger vans. It will be incorporated as an interim change during the 2004 production year, which begins later this summer.

Vehicle stability enhancement systems (VSES) help drivers maintain control of vehicles during certain difficult driving conditions such as ice, snow, gravel, wet pavement and uneven road surfaces; as well as in emergency lane changes or avoidance maneuvers.

GM offers the system across its many models with the names StabiliTrak, Precision Control and Active Traction. The 15-passenger vans will be badged StabiliTrak.

VSES works by recognizing wheel skid. Sensors detect the difference between the steering wheel angle and the direction the driver is actually turning by "reading" the steering wheel position, the amount of sideways force in play, vehicle speed and the vehicle's response to steering wheel input.

The system then uses the brakes to enhance control of the vehicle's direction and to help keep it on course. It automatically reduces the engine torque and applies precise amounts of pressure to front right or left brakes to help keep the vehicle on track. These brake and engine interventions help realign the vehicle's actual path with that being steered by the driver.

GM began installing VSES in passenger cars in 1997, and now has more than 2 million equipped vehicles on the road. GM was the first automaker to install VSES in full-size SUVs (Cadillac Escalade), in 2002, and the following year added it in the Escalade EXT; GMC Yukon, Yukon Denali and Yukon XL; and Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and Avalanche.

Other standard crash-avoidance features include four-wheel antilock brakes for directional stability in emergency braking situations and daytime running lamps for improved visibility. Safety belts, driver and front passenger air bags, front and rear crush zones and side-door beams are standard features designed to help protect occupants in the event of a crash.

(May 13, 2003)