• As a holistic systems supplier, Bosch exhibits its full range of solutions for energy efficiency, emission reduction and vehicle safety
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• Sales of Bosch in China in 2009 increased by 21 percent to 27.4 billion Chinese Yuan
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• China was the 3rd largest country after Germany and the US in terms of Bosch Group sales in 2009

April 24, 2010, Beijing - Bosch, a leading global supplier of Automotive Technology and Services, is presenting its latest technologies at the 11th Auto International Exhibition in Beijing. Offering a wide range of innovations, created through the integration of global resources and localization achievements, Bosch lays claim to its theme of “Automotive Competence from a Single Source.” For this year’s show, Bosch is focusing on the topics Clean & Economical, Safety and Comfort - and for the first time, is introducing localized solutions for hybrid and electrification.

"The car of the future will be the electric vehicle – there is no doubt about that. Bosch is devoting substantial research efforts to the electric power train and batteries. In China we are set up well to ensure full local engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and sales capabilities," said Uwe Raschke, Member of the Board of Management of Bosch Group, responsible for Asia Pacific. "Whilst we expect new and existing drive train technologies to be present in the market in parallel for many years, electric vehicles will continuously gain market share."

Sustaining growth and investment The global recession had a strong impact on the development of the Bosch Group. The company’s sales for 2009 amounted to some 364 billion Chinese Yuan (CNY) – 15 percent below the previous year. The decline in sales resulted in a considerable pre-tax loss for the Bosch Group at 11.4 billion CNY. Besides the decline in sales, this result is predominantly due to high provisions made for reorganization and impairments. Sales in Automotive Technology amounted to 207 billion CNY, down 18 percent. Noticeable improvement was made since the middle of 2009 – a trend likely to continue in 2010. And despite difficulties, Bosch spent 34.3 billion CNY in R&D expenditure, nearly equal to the previous year.

The significant recovery in demand in the emerging Asian markets, particularly in China, helped stabilize business during 2009. In Asia as a whole, Bosch achieved sales of 73.2 billion CNY, representing some 20 percent of Bosch’s total sales.

"At 27.4 billion CNY in 2009, sales of Bosch in China were up 21 percent and for the first time put China in third place after Germany and the US in terms of sales volume", Uwe Raschke commented. Amongst the Asia Pacific countries, China remains in the lead, making up 37 percent of the region’s overall sales. In 2009 Bosch in China had 21,200 associates – some 1,000 more than in the previous year.

"The growth of Bosch China in 2009 has benefited from the Chinese government's fast response and effective industry stimulus plan in the last year," said Peter Pang, President of Bosch (China) Investment Ltd. "Our commitment to China remains unchanged and we are exited to partner the growth of its automotive market. By the end of 2009, Bosch invested 2.2 billion CNY in China."

In addition, some 40,000 training days were conducted for Bosch associates in China in 2009 and more than 4,500 associates received training through the Bosch Training Institute.

Holistic systems solutions for new energy vehicles

As a full range automotive technology provider, Bosch is exhibiting its holistic innovations, encompassing the full product range for power train electrification, technologies for increased fuel saving and CO2 emission reduction of internal combustion engines and the latest localized developments to enhance automotive safety.

Bosch has over 30 years of experience in new energy vehicle technology. The company’s product portfolio covers a wide range: from hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, electric drives with a range extender and purely electric driving, to fuel cells as energy converters.

"Our significant upfront investment in this business area is in fact a valuable long-term investment in the future," said Mr. Pang. “With its localized components, our hybrid and electrification business division will cover the full power and torque ranges of the Chinese HEV and EV market for motor, power electronics and battery system.” The dedicated team of engineers under UAES (United Automotive Electronic Systems) has just started to provide full local engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and sales capabilities.

Many Bosch products debut at this year’s Auto China

The start/stop system has attracted great attention since Bosch first presented it at Auto China 2008 in Beijing. At present, the localization rate of the system’s major components has reached 70 percent, and that of its starter component has reached 90 percent. Bosch has already begun the first start/stop projects in China in close cooperation with Chang’an, and such systems will be equipped in many new Chang’an car models in the coming years. In early 2010, Bosch launched an economical version of the system in China, featuring reduced package and weight.

In addition Bosch is introducing its hybrid Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) application at the 2010 International Symposium on Transmission Innovation and China Industrialization on April 23rd, 2010, in Beijing. CTV is not only suitable for conventional engines, but also easily applicable to hybrid drive-trains. The flexibility of CVT offers great synergies in hybrid vehicles, as it enables both the engine and electric motor to run at its most efficient level, thus maximizing fuel efficiency.

Whilst working on future technologies intensively, Bosch is also demonstrating the huge potential of energy saving and emission reduction for traditional combustion engines. Bosch’s common-rail system, for example, can be used in a wide range of vehicles, from heavy trucks and smaller-displacement light-duty trucks, to passenger vehicles. This is the first time that Bosch exhibits a common-rail system for commercial vehicle CRSN3.3, meeting the Euro 6 emission standard. With such a system, Bosch offers injection technology that makes diesel engines more economical, environmentally friendly, quiet and powerful.

In terms of automotive safety, Auto China is seeing Bosch’s full brake system and latest technologies, such as Combined Active Passive Safety, Airbag Control Unit AB Light, and the localized ABS/ESP generation 9.

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