Sponsor: Mercedes Brake Parts
Writing in Auto Week, British automotive journalist Tony Lewin reports that Thomas Weber, head of R&D at DaimlerChrysler, has announced that Mercedes-Benz Car Group will launch stop-start technology across its entire line-up, beginning with the A and B Class ranges in September.

Sources quoted indicate that Valeo will supply its StARS belt-driven stop-start system for the A and B class models, as already adopted for the new smart fortwo city car and some of Citroà«n’s C2 and C3 hatchbacks.

Mr Weber reportedly said Mercedes would use a different solution for its larger, rear-drive models. A Mercedes official who did not wish to be named said that for these models, the company will use a so-called ‘ISG’ flywheel starter/alternator system from an unnamed supplier, which can reduce engine vibration and provide fill-in torque to smooth gearshifts.

Mercedes-Benz announced earlier this week the ‘mid-term’ launch of a new proprietary ‘DiesOtto’ spark-cum-auto combustion process for future, hybrid-assisted petrol engines.

As part of the Olympic Solidarity program, DaimlerChrysler handed over a Mercedes Benz Sprinter to the National Olympic Committee of Vietnam. The vehicle was jointly presented by Wilfried Porth, Director of the Van Business Unit at DaimlerChrysler and Ser Miang Ng, member of the IOC, to the Vietnam Olympic Committee, represented by its president, Nguyen Danh Thai. It is the one-hundredth minibus that DaimlerChrysler has provided to a National Olympic Committee. With the most recent donation, the NOC of Vietnam is the only National Olympic Committee which has received a second vehicle. Just like the first van which was handed over exactly 10 years ago, the new vehicle will also be used to carry young Vietnamese athletes to training sessions and competitions.