Recent reports of Toyota's highly publicized stuck accelerator issues have prompted many of our customers to ask about the safety performance of Volkswagen models. Here's what you can tell your customers:

All new Volkswagen models are equipped with an important safety feature that allows the brake to override the accelerator. Called "smart throttle," this technology cancels throttle input if the brake is applied. Volkswagen introduced electronic throttle controls and smart-throttle technology on diesel cars in 1993 and on gasoline models in 1999.

Volkswagen's smart throttle sends an electronic signal to close the throttle valve when both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal are depressed. However, if the brake is pressed first, followed by the accelerator pedal, the driver's torque request is carried out.

An ABC News/Consumer Reports video shows this Volkswagen safety feature in action. The Consumer Reports engineer driving a Jetta SportWagen applies full throttle and brakes with his left foot. The Jetta comes to a quick, safe stop because the engine is now idling even with the accelerator pedal still floored. The test driver initially demonstrates how a Toyota vehicle without smart-throttle fails to stop when its gas pedal is floored while braking. He instructs consumers to shift the vehicle into neutral, guide it to a stop, and then turn off the engine.

See the video at: www.abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8980024