Bosch has fitted its one millionth start-stop system since it started producing the technology in 2007.

While only 5% of all new vehicles in Europe were equipped with start-stop systems in 2008, Bosch predicts that this will increase to 50% by 2012.

Start-stop systems stop the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt, for example at a red light or in a traffic jam, starting it again automatically when the clutch is depressed and the vehicle is put back into gear.

The Bosch start-stop system features in models made by BMW and Mini, Fiat, Kia, and Volkswagen, among others.