Petersen museum executive director to retire

The executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum is retiring after a 12-year-run at the helm of one of the nation's preeminent car collections. Richard Messer is stepping down to concentrate on other business interests. He will be replaced by Buddy Pepp on June 15.

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.

Stig test drives motorway pub

The BBC has released a video of the Stig test driving Britain’s first motorway pub, presumably as a way of promoting its new series of Top Gear. The video shows the Stig pull up at Beaconsfield services in a Vauxhall Insignia, before entering the Hope and Champion pub and posing for photos, and then ordering a pint of beer. On Bing: see pictures of the Stig England’s first motorway pub set to open However, as the Stig raises the pint to his mouth, he realises it’s not drinkable as he is still wearing his helmet.