Satellites to track carjackers

SYDNEY's spate of seven carjackings in two weeks has prompted Mercedes-Benz to examine bringing its satellite-based tracking system to Australia.

Bandits, targeting expensive high-performance Mercedes, Porsche and BMW models, have forced the owners to hand over the keys and have used at least one of the vehicles as a getaway car in a later robbery.

The remote Teleaid satellite assistance service has been available in Europe and the US since 2000, but Mercedes-Benz has not brought it to Australia yet, citing low customer interest and lack of satellite coverage.

"The events of the last two weeks are worrying and we are investigating technologies that might add to security for owners," company spokesman Toni Andreevski said.

The system used satellites for communication and tracking and did not require mobile phone coverage to work, Mr Andreevski said.