• A “Car Safety Campaign” is launched today with attendance of one hundred journalists signing to support harmonious mobility.
• The forum focuses on automotive safety standards in China and the latest developments with automotive safety technology
• C-NCAP crash testing receives wide public attention

November 15th, 2007 - T he “Car Safety Campaign” launching ceremony and the Automotive Safety Media Forum jointly organized by China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) and Bosch Chassis Systems Control China convened in Suzhou. Zhao Hang, President of CATARC, Mr. Ferdinando Sorrentino, Regional President of Bosch Chassis Systems Control China, officials from the Suzhou Public Security Bureau along with delegates from nearly 100 media participated in the forum. The participants had in-depth discussion of the challenges of China's road safety and China Automotive Safety Technology and signed the “ Safe Vehicle Starts with Me” manifesto. As part of the forum, media representatives also visited Bosch's plant and engineering center experienced ABS application and Bosch advanced active safety systems.

A dialogue between industry experts and the media

In recent years, with the rapid development of China's automotive industry, China has already become the 3 rd largest automobile manufacturer in the world and the 2 nd largest automobile market. A car is no longer a luxury for many Chinese families. Therefore, automotive safety is increasingly under heated discussion. In order to enhance public awareness of automotive safety technology, encourage car makers to adopt the latest automotive safety technology, reduce road accidents related to automotive safety technologies and focus public attention on “Safety for Everyone, Safety Everywhere, Safety on the Road”, CATARC has joined hands with Bosch Chassis Systems Control China to organize the “ Safe Vehicle Starts with Me” initiative.

During the forum, the delegates had extensive discussion on automotive safety technologies and the trends in safety standard. Topics addressed include car crash testing and automotive safety technology and types of road accidents, active automotive safety technologies and its market development. In the end the experts also had a discussion with the journalists on trends in media reporting on automotive safety topics.

As a hundred of journalists along with representatives from the industry signed for the initiative, the launching ceremony came to its crest. This represents the start of the “Car Safety Campaign”. CATARC, B osch Chassis Systems Control China along with the media will jointly promote the development of automotive safety technology, enhance public awareness of road safety and establishing harmonious mobility through efforts in communicating safety concepts and the responsibility of industry associations, automotive companies, media, drivers and passengers as well as the general public.

During the forum, the delegates had a tour of production line of Bosch Chassis Systems Control China and technology center in Suzhou. They visited the application, testing and production. The tour also included an ABS application demo and provided the delegates the opportunity to experience in real life the benefits of active safety systems.

According to the organizers, this event is organized with the purpose of exploring the trends in automotive safety reporting through communicating with media from around the country. It is hoped that companies will adopt stricter standards and enhance product performance in order to reduce accidents related to automotive safety technology as a result of broad media attention on the issue. The “Car Safety Campaign” also aims to enhance average consumers' road safety awareness and promote the sustainable development of the automotive industry.

Car crash test attracts attention

As a third-party service institution of the industry, China Automotive Technology and Research Center has the responsibilities of serving the government, the enterprises and consumers ， reflecting the real thinking of consumers to the government, and delivering fair and open policies and information on traffic safety and vehicle safety.

In order to promote the whole Chinese auto product safety technology and the international competitiveness of Chinese auto product, China Automotive Technology and Research Center launched C-NCAP in the second half of 2006 on the basis of deep research and analysis of foreign NCAP and at the same time by integrating Chinese auto standard and rules, actual situation of the road traffic and the characteristics of models in China. China Automotive Technology and Research Center delivers real and objective vehicle information by the rule of “Fair, Just and Open”. Since the second half of 2006, the Center has carried out testing for over 30 models and publicized the appraisal results of 31 models including mini-size cars, A segment cars, B segment cars, MPVs and SUVs. The launch of C-NCAP was highly concerned by industry enterprises, media and consumers.

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: Nov. 2007