• Worldwide, percentage of cars equipped with ESP® is still low
• ESP® to be mandatory in all new cars in the U.S. from model year 2012
• Traffic experts around the world actively call for the electronic safety system

Traffic experts around the world agree – ESP® should be fitted as standard in every new car. In many cases, this active safety system stops a vehicle from skidding, thereby preventing serious accidents. The high effectiveness of the active safety system has been verified by a number of independent scientific studies. In Europe, the U.S., Japan, and China, numerous political committees, state-run programs, organizations, and automobile clubs are fighting to reduce the number of road traffic deaths. In 2006, only 26 percent of all new vehicles worldwide were equipped with the life-saving safety system.

U.S. the first country worldwide to mandate ESP®
The U.S. is making ESP® a legal requirement in an attempt to rapidly increase the number of cars fitted with the safety system, thereby reducing the risk of fatal accidents. From 2009, 55 percent of all new passenger cars and light trucks weighing less than 4.5 metric tons must be equipped with the life-saving safety system. This share will be increased to 100 percent by 2012. The decision was based on a comprehensive study conducted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which argued that equipping all vehicles with ESP® could prevent 9,600 road deaths and some 240,000 injuries each year in the United States.

Traffic safety initiatives focus on ESP®
The EU aims to halve the number of fatal accidents by 2010. Japan has plans to reach the same goal by 2013. Electronic safety systems such as ESP® play a key role in meeting these targets. The latest example of this is the "Choose ESC!" campaign. Initiated by the EU Commission, this campaign is designed to persuade car buyers to purchase only vehicles with ESP®. At the same time, it also appeals to automakers to equip all vehicles with this life-saving electronic Page 2 of 3 system. Well-known organizations, such as the Thatcham testing institute in Great Britain, the ADAC in Germany, and the accident researchers at EuroNCAP on a European level, actively support the Choose ESC! campaign. FIA President Max Mosley has agreed to be patron of the initiative. In China, too, the Development Research Center of the State Council wants to make sure that the safety system quickly becomes widespread. UN experts are drawing up plans to make ESP® a global technical standard. The aim is to supplement the existing requirements for braking systems, which can then be incorporated in national law by the member states. "More and more buyers understand how important ESP® is for vehicle safety," says Herbert Hemming, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division. "As a result, we expect the number of ESP® systems installed in cars worldwide to double to around 50 percent by 2010."

Saving billions with ESP®
Equipping all vehicles with ESP® would also have a profound impact on national economies. The NHTSA study reveals that the consequences of accidents which could be avoided with ESP® cost the U.S. economy as much as 11.4 billion U.S. dollars. Professor Dr. Herbert Baum from the Institute for Transport Science at the University of Cologne has calculated the costs for EU member states: his study revealed that equipping all vehicles with ESP® would allow up to 16 billion euros to be saved each year as a result of the accidents prevented.

About the Bosch Group

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros in fiscal 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

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 Bosch business sectors are present in China: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods and Building Technology. The company operates 44 legal entities in China and has a holding company in Shanghai. Consolidated sales in China reached 2.2 billion euros in 2008. Some 20,200 Bosch associates in all legal entities and facilities are committed to bringing to Chinese customers the latest technology as well as the most reliable services to help improve their quality of life.

About Bosch Chassis Systems Control China

As one of the key divisions of Bosch's automotive technology business, Bosch Chassis Systems Control China started its engineering and sales in China in 2002. This development was followed by the establishment of its new ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) production line in Suzhou and the localized production of ABS in 2003 as well as the localized production of ABS8.0 and ESP®8.0 in Suzhou in 2005. In April 2005 Bosch established its Suzhou Engineering Center to enhance its development and production capabilities in China, speed up its response to market requirements and thus better serve Chinese customers. The Engineering Center has a total area of 200,000 square meters and a total investment of US$ 60 million. In 2006, Bosch established its vehicle verification road (VVR). The VVR is mainly used for road testing and verification of vehicle braking systems. It covers a total area of 36,480 square meters and represents a total investment of Euro 1.8 million. The road is designed and built according to international professional standards. The establishment of VVR distinguishes Bosch as the only automotive supplier to own a professional braking systems verification road in China.

Additional information can be accessed at
http://www.bosch-esperience.com.cn.

For more information on Bosch China, please visit http://www.bosch.com.cn

News sourc: Bosch China
Publish date: Oct. 2007