Abstract: A reinforcement assembly is provided for a pickup truck bed. The reinforcement is assembled to a cross member that supports the pickup truck bed. The reinforcement includes a bridge spanning a channel defined by the cross member. The reinforcement assembly is suspended on tabs that are received in recesses defined by a front weld flange and a rear weld flange. A urethane isolator is utilized to secure the cross member to a frame component.

Abstract: The present invention describes a segmented license plate connection mechanism. The device comprises a conventional display device, which enables a personalized message, image, or video to be displayed adjacent to the entire perimeter of the license plate. A static image may be inserted into the decal enclosure, and is secured by decal stabilization clip. The display device also comprises a USB inlet and source of power that enables users to upload custom media.

Abstract: A system for interworking between a vehicle controller and an external resource includes at least one vehicle controller installed in a vehicle and configured to control an operation of the vehicle. At least one external device provides processing information of the external resource upon a request of the vehicle controller. A vehicle mobile gateway is connected to the vehicle controller via an in-vehicle network and connected to the external device via an external network of the vehicle to interface so that the vehicle controller and the external device may communicate with each other.

Abstract: A hook terminal is disclosed, the terminal including: a hook unit formed with an upper side-opened fixing groove into which a cable of several strands can be inserted; a fixing unit integrally formed with a bottom side of the hook unit and fixed to a main body; a cable disengagement prevention unit formed at an upper end of the hook unit to inhibit the cable from being disengaged; and a plurality of pressure lugs formed at the hook unit to inhibit the cable from moving to an axial direction by applying pressure to an external surface of the cable, whereby the cable disengagement prevention unit fixing the cable by way of hot pressing work inhibits the cable of several strands from being disengaged and from moving to an axial direction.

Abstract: A method manages a power supply of display screens on board a motor vehicle. The vehicle includes an onboard electric battery, at least one vehicle starting device that is supplied with electricity by the battery, the starting device being operational only when powered by a voltage greater than or equal to an activation threshold, at least one main screen powered by the battery, at least one accessory screen powered by the battery, and an electronic control unit that determine the voltage level of the battery at all times. The method includes switching off the at least one accessory screen by the electronic control unit when the voltage level of the battery is less than a first specified threshold of extinction, the first threshold of extinction being greater than the activation threshold.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus may include: an inflator part installed in a vehicle so as to spray gas; and an airbag cushion part deployed by the gas sprayed by the inflator part. The airbag cushion part may include: a main cushion to which the gas sprayed by the inflator part is introduced; an auxiliary cushion connected to the main cushion and tucked into the main cushion; and an expansion limiting part connecting the main cushion to the tucked-in auxiliary cushion at a preset pressure or less so as to limit expansion of the auxiliary cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper structure including: bumper reinforcement inside of a bumper cover provided at a front-rear direction outside end of a vehicle; an absorber disposed adjacent to the vehicle front-rear direction outside of the bumper reinforcement; a pedestrian collision detection sensor including a pressure tube extending between the bumper reinforcement and the absorber, bending toward a vehicle lower side at positions of both vehicle width direction end portions of the bumper reinforcement, including a left and right pair of tube end portions extending along a vehicle up-down direction, and outputting a signal according to a change in pressure in the pressure tube; and a reinforcement member, the reinforcement member being provided to a vehicle front-rear direction inside face of the bumper cover, reinforcing the bumper cover, and being disposed in a position superimposed in the vehicle front-rear direction on the tube end portion in plan view.

Abstract: A wheel guard or skirt is disclosed for use with a wheel of a machine or appliance. The wheel guard is designed to push an obstruction such as a wire, cable or other debris away from the wheel as the machine is moved along a floor. The wheel guard includes a first base member, having first and second ends, a second base member, having first and second ends, an upstanding first end member positioned between the first ends of the first and second base members and an upstanding second end member positioned between the second ends of the first and second base members. The wheel guard is designed to push obstructions away from the wheel to prevent the wheel from running over the obstruction. The wheel guard may be of one-piece construction.

Abstract: One or more embodiments provide a vehicle headliner including a roof panel positioned between left and right side panels, at least one of the left and right side panels including a transverse-strength-weakened area extending along a vehicle longitudinal direction and interfacing a vehicle pillar along a vehicle width direction at an assembled position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module cover (40) for an airbag (10) and/or an airbag module for being arranged beneath a vehicle roof (56), especially in the area of an upper windscreen rim, wherein the module cover (40) comprises a module cover panel (41) having a rear side (42) pointing to the vehicle roof (56) during use and a front side (43) pointing away from the vehicle roof (56) during use. In accordance with the invention, the module cover panel (41) comprises an elongate clearance portion (44) preferably formed over the entire width (B) of the module cover panel (41) in the form of an elongate indentation (49) configured in the front side (43) of the module cover panel (41).

Abstract: Curtain side airbag (CSA) systems are presented. The CSA systems can include a folded curtain configured to be inflated upon detection of an activation event. CSA systems can further include one or more components to protect the folded curtain, such as a sock and a protector. Windows can be defined in the sock and/or protector to allow inspection of a stored curtain airbag. In some arrangements, the protector window and the sock window can be substantially aligned to allow inspection access to at least one curtain feature through the substantially aligned protector window and sock window. Curtain features can include fold configurations of the curtain airbag or other visual or physical markings.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint device for a vehicle seat having a lower seat cushion includes a central portion and at least one side portion. The central portion extends in a lateral direction substantially across a central seat cushion portion of the lower seat cushion and has a first width perpendicular to the lateral direction. The at least one side portion laterally protects an occupant of the vehicle seat and has a second width perpendicular to the lateral direction. The second width is greater than the first width.

Abstract: A side airbag (2), for mounting to a seat frame (7) having a support surface (7a) facing a vehicle door. An inflator (6) is stored inside the side airbag near a rear end in a deployment and inflation direction. The side airbag has a folded portion (X1) with a folding line (F1) and a superposed portion (S) sequentially from the side of the inflator to a front end thereof in the deployment and inflation direction. The folded portion has an abutment portion (Q) folded back to a vehicle rear side from a vehicle front side on a front side of the inflator in a vehicle front-back direction along the folding line and abutted against the support surface.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a cylindrical partition wall portion including a plurality of gas passage holes through which a gas generated as a result of burning of a gas generating agent passes. Two sealing tapes in a form of a band are contiguously bonded to the partition wall portion such that a direction of extension thereof matches with a circumferential direction of the partition wall portion and each one of a pair of end portions located in each direction of extension is layered on an adjacent sealing tape. The gas passage hole is closed by a layered bonding region which is a portion where adjacent sealing tapes are layered on each other, and the gas passage hole is closed by a non-layered bonding region which is a portion where adjacent sealing tapes are not layered on each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including: a cylindrical housing having an ignition device which is fixed to an opening at a first end, and a second end which is closed, the inside of the cylindrical housing being provided with an ignition device chamber, a gas inflow chamber and a pressurized gas chamber, these chambers being arranged in the above order from the first end; a rupturable plate closing a gas outflow port between the pressurized gas chamber and the gas inflow chamber; and a breaking device arranged between the ignition device chamber and the gas inflow chamber, the breaking device including a base and a rod extending from the base towards the rupturable plate, the rod including a rod main body portion and a rod enlarged-diameter portion at a distal end portion thereof, the rod enlarged-diameter portion including a distal end surface portion facing the rupturable plate and a circumferential wall portion, the distal end surface portion of the rod enlarged-diameter portion including

Abstract: A web position and attenuation apparatus includes an elastically deformable body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, one of the first and second ends configured to be affixed to a frame of a movable vehicle, a web coupling member received on the elastically deformable body, the web coupling member movable relative to, and positionable along, the elastically deformable body, the web coupling member defining a web slot, and a flexible web extending through the web slot, the flexible web part of a restraint system to restrain an occupant of a vehicle seat mounted within the vehicle. The elastically deformable body is responsive to dynamic loads applied by the occupant through the flexible web to the web coupling member to absorb energy and attenuate tension in the flexible web via elastic deformation of the elastically deformable body.

Abstract: A seat belt extender comprises a rotatable member having multiple blades of different sizes that engage the receptacle mounted to the vehicle. At the opposite end of the seat belt extender is a receptacle that receives the blade that is connected to the seat belt and/or seat belt and shoulder harness.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a shaft. Also included is a slip ring having a plurality of apertures defined by a plurality of aperture walls, each of the aperture walls having a corner, the slip ring surrounding at least a portion of the shaft. Further included is a lock sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the slip ring, at least one of the corners of the plurality of aperture walls frictionally engaging one of an outer surface of the shaft and an inner surface of the lock sleeve to establish a fixed interface on a first side of the slip ring, the slip ring having a second side that establishes a slip interface with one of the shaft and the lock sleeve.

Abstract: Vehicle apparatus includes a glass windshield and a wiper system. A wiper blade has a parking region on the windshield. A deicer selectably provides heat to the parking region. A windshield temperature sensor detects a temperature of the windshield at the parking region. A head-up display is mounted proximate the windshield to display a temperature indicator responsive to the detected temperature. An automatic control circuit is configured to automatically deactivate the deicer when detecting a deiced condition in response to the detected temperature. A manual control element is configured to manually activate and deactivate the deicer. Thus, excessive heating can be avoided based on feedback of the windshield temperature. In addition, the driver is reminded that the deicer is active in a way that simultaneously provides information enabling the driver to independently evaluate the vehicle conditions and to make informed decisions about when to intervene in the automatic operation.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device is provided. The windscreen wiper device includes an elongated wiper strip of a flexible material for sealing against the windshield and at least one elongated groove. At least one flexible and elongated carrier element is disposed in the at least one groove of the wiper strip for biasing the wiper strip into a predetermined configuration when in a relaxed state. The at least one carrier element presents at least one upwardly facing curve and at least one downwardly facing curve when in a relaxed state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wiper blade assembly, including: an adaptor; and a cap member connected to a predetermined region of a front of the adaptor to rotate, wherein the cap member includes one or more hollows, the adaptor includes one or more pressing plates, and the cap member is rotated relative to the one or more pressing plates in a state where the one or more pressing plates are inserted in the one or more hollows. Since a wiper arm can be easily attached or detached by the rotation of the cap member, the wipe blade assembly can be easily attached to or detached from the wiper arm even by a beginner.

Abstract: A fuel changing device which is for connection with a fuel pipe or a fuel can is provided, including: a barrel, connected with a conduit portion communicating with an interior of the barrel; a plunger, including a piston movably received in the barrel and an operation rod connected with the piston and extending out of the barrel; an adapting mechanism, including an adapter connected to the conduit portion and at least one adapting tube, the adapter selectively detachably connected with one end of the adapting tube or for selectively detachably connected with a fuel connector of the fuel can, another end of the adapting tube being for detachably connected with the fuel pipe.

Abstract: A wheel chock having a wedge-shaped body and a recessed gripping member is provided. The wedge-shaped body includes a bottom surface for engaging the ground, a front inclined wheel engaging surface, a back surface opposite the front inclined surface, and opposite upright side surfaces. At least one of the opposite upright side surfaces has a recess, and the gripping member is disposed in the recess. The gripping member does not substantially protrude beyond the upright side surface having the recess for enabling an improvement in compact packaging and shipping costs associated with the wheel chock.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle has an electric parking brake (EPB) and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to control the EPB. The ECU is configured to control the EPB to apply it upon determining that a driver is not present in the vehicle. The ECU is configured to determine whether the driver is present in the vehicle or not based at least upon there having been or not having been a steering input. The ECU is configured to determine that there has been a steering input when a steering torque signal from an electric power steering system of the vehicle has changed by at least a threshold amount during a set period of time based and determine that there has not been a steering input when the steering torque signal has not changed by at least the threshold amount during the set period of time.

Abstract: An automatic emergency braking system for a vehicle includes a forward viewing camera and a control. At least in part responsive to processing of captured image data, the presence of another vehicle closing on the subject vehicle is determined, and a relative speed of the subject vehicle relative to the other vehicle is also determined. Responsive at least in part to a speed of the subject vehicle and the determined relative speed, the control controls the subject vehicle's brake system. Responsive to determination that the driver of the subject vehicle is impaired, the automatic emergency braking system does not allow the driver to override the control's control of the subject vehicle's brake system. Responsive to a determination that the driver of the subject vehicle is not impaired, the automatic emergency braking system allows the driver to override the control's control of the subject vehicle? brake system.

Abstract: A slip-controllable vehicle brake system includes a drivable pressure generator configured to supply at least one wheel brake of a brake circuit with pressure medium. The pressure generator has a pump inlet valve and a pump outlet valve to control the throughput of the pressure medium. Novel system functions, such as pedestrian protection, require that the pressure generator has a drive with increased power to provide high pressure medium volumes to the wheel brakes at a faster rate. In the case of ABS braking, a high braking pressure generated by the drive works against the starting of the pressure generator and increases the starting current. To ease the starting of the drive and to limit the required starting current, a mechanism is provided downstream of the pump outlet valve which prevents an exerting of the pressure generator on the pressure side with the pressure of the main brake cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a vehicle, including a coupling device which is designed to decouple a speed sensor from a primary energy supply of a primary control of a primary brake-control system and to couple it to a secondary energy supply, and a control device which is designed to control the coupling device as a function of an error signal of the primary control, so that in response to an error of the primary control, the speed sensor is able to be decoupled from the primary energy supply and coupled to the secondary energy supply. A method for operating a vehicle, a system for operating a vehicle, as well as a computer program are also described.

Abstract: An actuating unit for a brake system, comprises a pedal connection element that charges a booster piston with an actuating force. An elastically deformable reaction disk, absorbs the actuating and boosting forces of the booster and releases the sum of said forces to a working piston. An electrically controllable pressure supply device outputs pressure which acts upon the booster piston. The actuating unit further comprises an extension arm for detecting the differential path between the pedal connection element and the booster piston and a sensor device that detects the differential path. An electronic control unit receives the signals from the sensor device and uses said signals for controlling the pressure supply device. Differential path information is transported by the extension arm to a location near the sensor device that is radially and axially offset by the reaction disk.

Abstract: Mild hybrid powertrain controls and apparatuses, methods and systems including the same are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a mild-hybrid system comprising an engine, an electrical machine, power electronics, an energy storage system, and an electrical load. The system includes a controller structured to receive an electrical machine power command based upon a power allocation to the electrical machine, process the electrical machine power command with feedforward controls structured to compensate for an inaccuracy associated with the power electronics, process the electrical machine power command with proportional integral (PI) controls structured to compensate for a power loss associated with one or more electrical loads, provide a compensated machine power command based upon the processing with the feedforward controls and the processing with the PI controls, and output the compensated machine power command to control the electrical machine.

Abstract: A hybrid construction machine is disclosed, which comprises an engine, a generator, the generator connected to the engine, a converter connected to the generator, and an ESS (Energy Storage System) connected to the converter. The hybrid construction machine further comprises a converter current detector positioned either between the converter and the generator or between the converter and the ESS to detect the current flowing between the converter and the generator, an ESS current detector positioned between the converter and the ESS to detect the current flowing between the converter and the ESS, a processing unit receiving the current detected from the converter current detector and the ESS current detector and calculating the operation time of the respective component, and a display unit displaying the operation time of the respective component. Since the hybrid construction machine calculates the operation time of the respective component and displays the same to an operator.

Abstract: A control system is for a vehicle (Ve), and the control system comprises an electronic control unit (18). The electronic control unit (18) is configured to (i) produce differential rotation by controlling a rotational speed of either a first clutch member (24) or a second clutch member (25) of a selectable one-way clutch (17) by a motor (2), and (ii) execute the following processes in an order of (1.) to (4.) in the case where the electronic control unit (18) switches the selectable one-way clutch (17) from a disengaged state to a engaged state: (1.) controlling the motor (2) such that the differential rotation becomes the negative differential rotation; (2.) switching the selectable one-way clutch (17) from a second state to a first state; (3.) controlling the motor (2) such that the differential rotation becomes the positive differential rotation; and (4.) engaging a part of a strut with a part of the second clutch member (25).

Abstract: A controller and a control strategy minimizes shift shock in a hybrid electric vehicle during a downshift conducted while the vehicle is in a regenerative braking mode by maintaining total powertrain torque at a desired target during the downshift. The controller has three preferable modes including modulating just engine torque, modulating just electric motor torque or simultaneously modulating both motor and engine torque.

Abstract: A movement assistance apparatus that assists movement of a vehicle including an engine and a motor includes: a planning unit configured to plan a first mode or a second mode as a drive mode for each section into which a travel route is sectioned, an amount of charge of a battery not being kept in the first mode, the amount of charge of the battery being kept in the second mode; and a control unit being configured to, when a current remaining amount of charge of the battery is smaller than a remaining amount of charge of the battery required to travel in the first mode over the entire section, control the drive mode of the section to the first mode until the remaining amount of charge of the battery becomes zero irrespective of the drive mode planned by the planning unit for the section including the current section.

Abstract: An ECU includes a running mode control unit, a Wout control unit, and an engine start/stop determination unit. The running mode control unit controls switching of a running mode including a CD mode in which an engine is stopped and running using a motor generator alone is given priority, and a CS mode in which the engine is operated and the SOC of a power storage device is maintained at a predetermined target. The engine start/stop determination unit carries out a start determination of the engine based on a discharge allowable power indicating electric power that can be discharged by the power storage device. The Wout control unit modifies the discharge allowable power based on the running mode and operation/stop of the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine and electric motors each coupled to a wheel of a rear axle by a coupling device, and an electronic control unit connected to sensors, to a mechanism selecting a propulsion mode and also to the internal combustion engine and to the electric motors. The method includes: depending on running conditions of the vehicle and depending on the selected propulsion mode, controlling the coupling devices, controlling operation of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors, and controlling torque of the internal combustion engine and of the electric motors.

Abstract: A method is provided to control a power steering device and an adaptive damping system of a motor vehicle. The power steering device makes available a mechanical steering angle range that is limited by steering stops. The adaptive damping system makes available a variable damping force. The damping force of the adaptive damping system is increased and a maximum achievable steering angle is simultaneously increased in case a steering stop is reached.

Abstract: Based on a steering control input, a measured value of the steering control attribute and a measured value of the traction control attribute received by a steering application, determining: a first setpoint value of the steering control attribute; a target steering angle of the steered wheel of the vehicle. Based on receiving, by a traction application executing on the vehicle control module of the vehicle: a traction speed control input to control the traction wheel of the vehicle, and the target steering angle, from the steering application, determining, by the traction application: a second setpoint value of the traction control attribute.

Abstract: An apparatus for a remote parking includes: an user input unit to receive a user input for instructing a parking of a vehicle remotely; a distance detection unit to detect a separation distance to a side vehicle located around the vehicle; a parking operation unit to accomplish an automatic parking of the vehicle; and a controller to control the parking operation unit so that a separation distance to a passenger seat side vehicle located in the side of passenger seat of the vehicle is adjusted to a preset reference distance based on the detected separation distance, when receiving the user input through the user input unit.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine with auto-stop and auto-start functions. The vehicle additionally includes a braking system configured to apply braking torque to vehicle wheels. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to control the engine and braking system via an ACC system in response to a detected forward object. The controller is configured to automatically control the braking system in response to a distance to the detected forward object falling below a first predefined threshold and a vehicle speed falling below a second predefined threshold. In response to these inputs, the controller automatically controls the braking system to apply a braking torque to hold the vehicle stationary in the absence of powertrain torque based on a current road grade. The controller additionally controls the engine to auto-stop in response to these inputs.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may operate in an environment in which there is an unexpected dynamic object. The autonomous vehicle can detect the dynamic object. The dynamic object can have an associated movement. The movement of the dynamic object can be tracked. The movement of the dynamic object can be classified as being one ballistic or non-ballistic. It can be determined whether the dynamic object is on a collision course with the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to determining that the dynamic object is on a collision course with the autonomous vehicle, a driving maneuver for the autonomous vehicle can be determined. The driving maneuver can be based at least in part on the movement of the dynamic object. The autonomous vehicle can be caused to implement the determined driving maneuver.

Abstract: A method is for providing an object prediction representation. In an embodiment, the method includes simulating movement of a host vehicle and an object in a longitudinal-lateral coordinate system based on their initial positions at the starting time and a movement of the host vehicle and determined movement of the object. Points in time when at least one reference point of the host vehicle and an object reference point of a plurality of object reference points have the same longitudinal position are detected. Further, for each detected point in time, an associated lateral position of the object reference point at the detected point in time is detected.

Abstract: In an inter-vehicle control apparatus, a controller performs acceleration control of an own vehicle, based on an actual inter-vehicle physical quantity and a target inter-vehicle physical quantity. A limiter sets a limit value for a target jerk during the acceleration control. A detector detects an occurrence of at least one of: an event in which the inter-vehicle distance becomes discontinuously shorter; and an event in which a target inter-vehicle distance corresponding to the target inter-vehicle physical quantity becomes discontinuously longer. A determiner determines a risk of collision with the preceding vehicle, based on an operation state of the preceding vehicle in relation to the own vehicle. When at least one of the events is detected, the limiter sets the limit value to a value based on the risk of collision such that change in deceleration of the own vehicle is kept lower as the risk of collision decreases.

Abstract: A device performs real-time signaling of at least one object to a navigation module of a vehicle. The device includes a first sensor to produce first-sensor data including a first captured position and a first captured speed of the object relative to the vehicle, at least one second sensor to produce second-sensor data including a second captured position and a second captured speed of the object relative to the vehicle, a synchronization module to produce synchronized data including a first synchronized position from the first captured position and the first captured speed and at least one second synchronization position from the second captured position and the second captured speed, and a merging module to produce merged data including a merged position from the first synchronized position and the second synchronized position to signal the object to the navigation module by communicating all or part of the merged data thereto.

Abstract: A steering assistant includes a lane width setting unit and a determination unit. The lane width setting unit provides setting of a lane width between lane lines on right and left sides of an own vehicle. The determination unit monitors a lane line state to determine how the lane line state has transited, in which the lane line state involves presence or absence of the lane lines on the right and left sides of the own vehicle. The lane width setting unit provides the setting of the lane width, with a virtual lane line assumed on side on which the lane line is missing, when it is determined that the lane line state has transited to a state in which the lane line is provided on either one of the right and left sides of the own vehicle.

Abstract: A lane recognition apparatus includes a lane recognizer, a lane evaluator, and a recognition state monitor. The lane recognizer recognizes lane lines of a road on which a vehicle travels. The lane lines include a first lane line and a second lane line. The lane evaluator evaluates, as recognition reliability, reliability of the recognition of the lane lines recognized by the lane recognizer, based on a plurality of characteristic amounts that are obtained from the recognition of the lane lines. The recognition state monitor monitors, upon completion of the recognition of the first lane line following the evaluation on the recognition reliability, a state of the recognition of the second lane line to adjust a timing at which a result of the recognition of the lane lines is provided to a driver.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising one or more electronic control units configured to carry out a method that includes applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels, detecting a slip event between any one or more of the wheels and the ground over which the vehicle is travelling when the vehicle is in motion and providing a slip detection output signal in the event thereof. The method carried out by the one or more electronic control units further includes receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel and maintaining the vehicle at the target speed independently of the slip detection output signal by adjusting the amount of torque applied to the at least one of the plurality of wheels.

Abstract: A clutch burst prevention method for preventing a non-drive input shaft clutch of a vehicle provided with a double clutch transmission (DCT) from damage may include a torque reduction operation of reducing a torque of an engine by an ECU when a stuck phenomenon occurs on a shift gear of the non-drive input shaft.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance of a vehicle engine by sensing and/or accessing data regarding the driving environment and adjusting at least one of an engine output torque limit and a shifting schedule for the vehicle based on the sensed data.

Abstract: Controls for improved drivability of a vehicle equipped with start/stop logic are disclosed. A nominal control stop for the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is disabled or prevented from occurring in response to a vehicle mass and route grade indicating a roll back condition for the vehicle exists if the nominal control stop for the engine were to take place.

Abstract: A method of operating an automatic speed control system of a vehicle in accordance with a set-speed. The method comprises receiving electrical signal(s) representative of a vehicle occupant-initiated brake command to slow the vehicle to a stop, and in response, suspending automatic speed control in accordance with said set-speed and commanding the application of a retarding torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to bring the vehicle to a stop, while maintaining the speed control system in an active state. The method further comprises receiving electrical signal(s) representative of a vehicle occupant-initiated brake release command, and in response, and while maintaining the speed control system in an active state, automatically commanding the generation of drive torque sufficient to propel the vehicle in an intended direction and automatically controlling the speed of the vehicle in accordance with said set-speed.