An air compressor (12b) starts to operate when fuel to an internal
combustion engine (1) is cut off and the engine (1) and a transmission
(4) are directly engaged. Upon receiving a drive request signal, a
controller (21) outputs a lockup clutch disengaging request. The
controller (21) resumes fuel supply and starts driving of the air
compressor (12b) only when it is confirmed that the lockup clutch (3) has
been disengaged, thereby preventing a recovery shock from generating due
to resumption of fuel supply during the lockup clutch (3) being in the
engaged state.