• Almost every second passenger car and light commercial vehicle produced globally is expected to be equipped with ESP® by 2012
• 11 percent of newly registered cars in China were equipped with ESP® in 2008
• ESP® can reduce the number of skidding accidents by up to 80 percent
• Bosch Active Safety Survey indicates high demand for ESP® in China

Beijing, April 16, 2009 – Developed and launched by Bosch in 1995, ESP® has been described as the most significant safety technology since the introduction of the seat belt. The Electronic Stability Program ESP®, also known as Electronic Stability Control ESC among safety experts, is an active safety technology that can significantly reduce the danger of skidding. "There is no doubt that ESC, can play a major role in saving lives on Chinese roads and could contribute significantly to our goal to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities. But to achieve this, much more needs to be done to inform the consumer about why they must choose ESC when buying a new car, as ESC cannot be retrofitted." said Wang Xiaojing, Deputy Director-General of Research Institute of Highway from Ministry of Transport(MOT) at the "Launch of the ESC Campaign" at Beijing Proving Ground for Highway and Traffic (BJPG). The launch event was attended by more than 100 guests, including government officials, road safety advocates, automotive industry professionals and the media.

The "Launch of the ESC Campaign" is part of the National Road Safety Action Plan recently launched by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), and the Ministry of Transport (MOT). It aims to raise awareness of the Electronic Stability Program and increase its installation rates. The launch was attended by Jean Todt, former CEO of Ferrari and newly elected President of eSafetyAware, and Global Road Safety Ambassador Michelle Yeoh. eSafety Aware is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation which promotes intelligent vehicle safety technologies like ESP®.

International accident research shows that skidding is the major cause of fatal road accidents. ESP® can detect potential skids at an early stage and reduce the likelihood of these accidents happening by up to 80 percent according to some studies.

Recognizing the significant gain in driving safety provided by ESP®, installation rates are rapidly rising around the world. In fact, global market figures indicate an international trend towards higher vehicle safety standards. In 2008, the global ESP® installation rate reached 33 percent of all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles produced and it is predicted to reach almost 50 percent by 2012. China’s installation rate has jumped to 11 percent of new cars in 2008, but it still trails behind Europe and the US. In both the United States and in Europe, the legislative authorities have recently decided to make ESP® mandatory equipment. In the US all vehicles with a gross weight of up to 4,5 tons are required to be equipped with ESP® as of September 2011. Similarly, in Europe all passenger cars as well as light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles require ESP® installation as of November 2014.

Findings from Bosch’s latest Active Safety Survey were presented at the launch, indicating that Chinese car buyers are eager to see greater availability of ESP®. The survey, conducted every two years in major Chinese cities, shows that the majority of Chinese car buyers consider safety the single-most important criterion when buying a car. Of the respondents, 37 percent said that they had already experienced a critical skidding situation and 78 percent indicated that ESP® would be an important equipment when buying their next car. Jean Todt, President of eSafetyAware at the event said: "Buying a car that is ESC equipped is in every driver’s interest, as you never know when a dangerous situation might occur. I myself will always choose to buy a car equipped with ESC, as my safety and that of my family comes first."

The launch event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Research Institute of Highway MOT, FASC (Federation of Automobile Sports of China), eSafetyAware and FIA Foundation on the deployment of ESP® in China.

By participating in "Launch of the ESC Campaign", Bosch believes that it can further advance the cause of accident-free driving. "We are proud that ESP® can deliver such a valuable contribution to road safety also in China. However, this can only happen if the system is installed in as many vehicles as possible. This is why communicating the virtues of ESP® has been one of our primary objectives for many years now." explained Ferdinando Sorrentino, Regional President of Chassis Systems Control China.

About Bosch Chassis Systems Control China

As one of the key divisions of Bosch’s automotive technology business sector, 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 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) in the Engineering Center. 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. In November 2008, Bosch opened its latest winter test facilities in Yakeshi, covering 1.86 million square meters, with an investment of 150 million RMB. The new center will ensure reliable cold weather conditions for testing vehicle safety systems.

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 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.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.cn