• Orchestra’s first performance in China since its founding in 1934
• Bosch encourages and assists its employees’ professional and personal growth
• Bosch Orchestra performance is a venue for cultural exchange

Shanghai, May 28, 2006 – The Bosch Symphony Orchestra captivated an audience of 1,000 guests during its first ever China concert at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center this evening. The 80-member orchestra, made up of talented Bosch employees, performed renditions of classical masterpieces during the two hour long debut.

Tonight’s performance represents a commitment Bosch has made to promote cultural activities, sponsor the arts and create a diverse corporate culture focused on employee development. These commitments are aligned with the corporate philanthropy began by the company’s founder, Robert Bosch, who, because of his strong belief in corporate responsibility, made considerable donation to support public initiatives.

Peter Pang, President of Bosch China, commented, “Through the orchestra, Bosch brings its cultural legacies to China. Bosch is committed to China not only through introducing its cutting-edge technologies but also in providing a venue for cultural exchange.”

The Symphony Orchestra has a rich history extending back to 1934, when the musical pursuits of Bosch’s employees give rise to a symphony orchestra and a choir. Under the direction of the present conductor, Ulrich Walddörfer, the Orchestra performs charity concerts at international locations including Spain, Great Britain, Australia, Italy, and Turkey. In this respect, the Bosch Symphony Orchestra acts as a worldwide Bosch cultural ambassador. Internally it strengthens Bosch’s “corporate identity” and externally it boosts the prominence of the Bosch brand.

“Bosch stands for innovation, high quality and performance, which is also reflected in tonight’s performance. We are impressed that the reaction of the audience is overwhelming. We can tell that they enjoyed this evening.” said Dr. Gerhard Felten, spokesperson and cellist for the Bosch Symphony Orchestra and also Executive Vice President of Bosch Corporate Research & Development.

“The orchestra’s performance in China is the first stop on their Asia-Pacific tour,” said Dr. Rudolf Colm, Member of the Board of the Bosch Group and responsible for the coordination of company activities in the Asia-Pacific region. “In recent years, Shanghai has played host to an increasing number of International classical music performances, resulting in a growing demand for Western classical music. Consistent with Bosch’s ambition to enhance the quality of people’s lives in China, the Bosch Symphony Orchestra is an international vehicle to further bond with the local community and to serve as a bridge for East and West cultural exchange.”

About Bosch in China

Bosch founded its first trading office in China as early as 1909. In 1926, the first car service workshop opened in Shanghai . Today, all of the Bosch business sectors are present in China : Automotive and Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods and Building Technology. The company operates via a holding company in Shanghai , 14 subsidiaries, six joint ventures, and six trading companies. The 2005 consolidated sales in China reached 1 billion EUR, which represents a 35% increase compared to the previous year. Non-consolidated entities included, Bosch China achieved sales of 1.2 billion EUR in 2005, a 15% increase from 2004. Up to 2005, Bosch had invested around 620 million euros in the establishment and expansion of its Chinese activities. In the past five years alone, the number of Bosch manufacturing facilities there has doubled, from 10 to 20.

In China over 14,000 Bosch employees follow Bosch’s “3S principle” – S icher (safe), S auber (clean), S parsam (economical) and are committed to bringing to the Chinese customers the latest technology as well as the most reliable services to help the Chinese people improve their quality of life. Innovation applied to environmental protection has been a corporate principle of the Bosch Group since 1973.

About Bosch Group

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal year 2005, some 251,000 associates generated sales of 41.5 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering," the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of more than 280 subsidiaries and more than 12,000 Bosch service centers in over 140 countries.

The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. 92 % of the shares of Robert Bosch GmbH are held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.

For more information on Bosch, please visit www.bosch.com.cnFor further details please contact: