There was a system devised and reported in GCC that started an engine with fuel injection and sparks in strategic cylinders. There have been integrated starter generators developed for both trucks and automobiles. An integrated starter alternator has also been incorporated into flywheels and an electric water pump is long over due as a way to save fuel at high speeds as well as a way to keep the engine cool when stopped in traffic. ..HG..

How is start-stop a worse deal than full hybrid? The fuel savings are less, but the upfront cost is less too. As is the replacement cost for all the extra parts. Time will tell just how quickly all this stuff wears out and how expensive it is to replace. Personally I commend Ford for trying cut fuel consumption across the range rather than come out with one or two high profile low consumption cars (Leaf, Volt, Prius) while ignoring the rest of the range.

It is a better idea to couple it with a low cost hybrid system, those motors and battery systems can handle it with no stress.. such as GM's BAS +, Honda's/Hyundai's IMA and so on.

What a bunch of whiners.

Clearly a positive step forward, done the proper way for
a) durability(an enhanced 12-volt automobile battery and upgraded starter motor
and
b) drivability (extremely fast engine starts, a light on the dash, a special tachometer and special electric pump to keep the driver warm)

Indeed the article is a bit long on hyperbole for a ho hum advance, and are Barb Samardzich and Birgit Sorgenfrei, real people? Birgit?

But if MB, BMW or Audi did this (or the Chinese) it would be further evidence of our degradation or the folly of the free market.

For the record: BMW introduced start-stop more than 3 years ago.

It is known that several (durability) issues must be addressed with start-stop. For example, material and design of crankshaft and (diesel) fuel pump bearings. The starter motor and the battery are other examples. In any case, component suppliers already can handle these issues.

On a diesel car, start-stop reduces both fuel consumption and emissions. On a gasoline car, emissions might increase somewhat but there are measures to abate this increase.

Personally, I think that other options, such as belt-driven starter-alternator might become the second generation start-stop system. It is simple enough, cost-effective and has a somewhat higher potential than the system discussed here. An integrated starter-generator is also interesting but probably less cost-effective and it gets into competition with a full hybrid. Eventually, some kind of start-stop will become standard on practically all cars within just a few years. After the introduction by BMW and later, by other car manufacturers, this trend cannot be reversed and everybody will have to introduce this technology shortly. The EPA (and EU) reward is big enough.

I have not studied the patents from Ford but the value of patents in cases like this might be limited. Much of the development is carried out in co-operation with suppliers and cannot be held exclusively for Ford.

The facts we can look at is that the recent models of the “old” Focus (diesel) with start-stop sold in Europe have showed very low fuel consumption (e.g. Focus Econetic: 3.8 l/100 km and 99 g/km CO2). However, we still do not see this technology on (practically) every car model as in the case of BMW.

...Oh, and as for start-stop: it's all good. 10% reduction in fuel use for urban driving becomes a huge deal when this tech spreads to most of the auto fleet.

@doctor:

I doubt the patents are for income; they're to keep someone else from suing you for patent infringement. Patents are just a license to sue--you need the implicit threat of counter suits. Avoiding lawsuits over IP is why auto companies have cross-licensing agreements, not for patent royalties.

Your friend with the mild hybrid sounds like a worry wart. Also, the Ford design is not a BAS system such as the Malibu has. For latest on GM BAS system, see:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/11/eassist-20101115.html

..which GM is now calling 'E-Assist' rather than mild hybrid. It's now standard on the 4-cylinder model of the Buick LaCrosse mentioned above.

"My friend has the "mild hybrid" malibu ( recently discontinued), similar to the Ford design,but he hasnt seen the 1 mpg improvement it was supposed to get and he worries constantly about the battery failing when it gets cold out."

Did he compare it to an otherwise identical Malibu?.. perhaps is getting a huge increase but just does not know it.

In any case it would be easy to implement an algorithm that would disable the start-stop system as the battery ages, until the battery is replaced.

to PeterXX: BMW introduced it 3 years ago, and Citroen at least more than 6 years ago.
From GCC:
"30 March 2006
A reversible starter/alternator handles the start and stop function.
Citroën has announced the UK launch of a new C2 Stop & Start model....
The Stop & Start technology, first introduced on the C3 in 2004, switches the engine off when the car is at standstill, offering up to a 15% reduction in fuel consumption in heavy traffic, according to Citroën. "

So, there are quite enough datas at least in Europe about the durability and maintenance costs.
System sold by Valeo and others are now in the millions.

Granted, mostly for 4 cylinders, maybe it is costlier for the V6 and V8 on American trucks, but where is the can-do mentality?