In China, we opened our first automotive service station in 1926 and by the end of 2007, Bosch operate over 668 service stations throughout the country.

The strong relationship between Bosch and China dates back to the turn of the century, with business contacts recorded as early as 1909 - just 23 years after Robert Bosch opened his first workshop in Germany. In 1926, we established our first automotive service station in Shanghai and have offered high quality service and auto parts to the Chinese automotive market ever since. 

Today, China is showing strong momentum for growth in all areas –road safety, energy efficiency, environmental protection, and talent development. Bosch is proud of its substantial contribution in all these areas. Bosch and its business operations have become an increasingly integral part of the Chinese economy. Through localizing its most advanced solutions and manufacturing technology, Bosch is making concrete efforts towards its long-term commitment to China. By the end of 2007, Bosch had established four engineering centers and one winter test track in China, equipped with the most advanced facilities and highly competent development teams.

In China, Bosch is dedicated to localized development and manufacturing of the beneficial and innovative technologies and solutions that help improve Chinese people's lives. Our localized clean diesel commonrail injection systems, gasoline direct injection, and start/stop systems help address the challenge of increasing energy demand and improve environmental protection. In the automotive safety area, in China, we localized the ESP® electronic stability program which is globally recognized as one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents. With its eye on sustainable development in China, Bosch also nurtures and cultivates local talent and shares its experience and know-how in advanced technology. In all its endeavors, Bosch consistently contributes to the growth of the Chinese economy, and to a society that is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, as well as safer.

Living by our motto BeQIK, we have been forging fruitful and successful business partnerships on the Chinese market. By means of investment, transfer of knowledge, commitment to customers and development of tomorrow's industry leader, we aspire to further integrate Chinese's economy and social endeavors and to play an increasingly important role in this momentous period of China's history.

From the company's first days, quality has been the keystone to Bosch's success. We thrive to provide customers with products of the highest quality. Our twelve quality principle statements constitute a work code for our employees worldwide. This also applies to the high-quality service carried out on our behalf by our trading partners and sales service organization. 

On January 1st, 2002, the Bosch Group was employing 221,000 people worldwide, with 54% working outside Germany. We place great importance on international exchange of employees, because we believe it stimulates cooperation and expertise transfers. The Bosch CIP (Continuous Improvement Process) program allows each employee to contribute his or her experience and know-how to improve the group's working practices and manufacturing processes. It is our people - their dedication, their commitment and their ideas - that drive us forward. 

Bosch owes its success as a cutting-edge technology supplier to decades of intensive research and development. Today, the Bosch Group allocates 7% of its consolidated revenue to research and development. In 2001, Bosch's research and development spending amounted to 2.3 billion euro, most of it allocated to the automotive technology.