AUTOS

GM Ran Secret Crash Tests, Former Engineer Testifies: Secret tests conducted by General Motors Corp. on its full-size pickup trucks showed serious damage to the vehicles’ fuel tanks in side-impact crashes, Ronald Elwell, a former engineer, said in court last week. He was testifying in the trial of Thomas and Elaine Moseley of Snellville, Ga., who are suing GM over the death of their 17-year-old son, Shannon. The Moseleys contend that Shannon would have survived an October, 1989, crash if his 1985 GM pickup hadn’t burst into flames. GM says he would have died from other injuries in the crash. The case is important because the federal government is considering whether to force GM to recall 4.7 million trucks made between 1973 and 1987, a move that could cost the auto maker $1 billion. The company maintains that its trucks are safe and comply with federal safety standards.