Mercedes: Baby seat with transponder, chrysler head, new born baby

Question
Hi Ian D,

I am looking for some information on the safety of the use of the Mercedes Benz Baby-Safe car seat for newborns (0-9months) with transponder in the front passenger seat of my Mercedes. I believe that the transponder will inactivate the front passenger airbag, but not the side one. Is this correct? Is this safe? My local dealer says that the side airbag in conjunction with the baby seat poses no risk to the baby should it inflate, however this is contrary to what I have read about airbags and baby seats in general.
I am desperatly looking for an answer to this question as I cannot seem to obtain definitive information from either the Mercedes Benz website or the Daimler-Chrysler head office in South Africa (where I live).
Short of buying a new car without passenger airbags, I just don't know what the safest way to transport my new born baby in a rear facing car seat in my Mercedes Benz C200 (1999 model) is?
I feel that putting a newborn baby in a rear facing car seat in the back of the car is a problem, because you can't keep an eye on whether your baby is OK.
I would really appreciate your advice.
Thankyou,
Natalie Bracher

Answer
Natalie,
 The side airbags should not pose a threat because when they deploy they do not purtrude into the seat like the front ones do. They are meant to act as padding for when a body this thrown into the door. The carseat, however, is lighter than an adult and would not be thrown with as much force. I hope I have awnsered your question.
Thanks,
Ian