"The US will also be a key market for us in the future, and one where we are looking to achieve significant continued growth," said Franz Fehrenbach, Chairman of the Bosch Board of Management, at a gala event in Detroit. "By 2015 we wish to increase the America region's share of total sales by another 6 percentage points to 25 percent," said Fehrenbach. Sales in North America in the first half of 2006 alone rose 10 percent. More than 23,000 employees generated sales of €6.7 billion ($8.4 billion) at over 80 sites in 2005. Within the US alone, Bosch employs 16,700 employees across 70 sites, and generated sales of €5.7 billion ($7 billion) euros.

Bosch has reinforced its market position in the US since the start of 2006 with two acquisitions. Together with Mann + Hummel, it acquired automobile filter manufacturer Purolator, thereby expanding its American aftermarket business. Bosch is also buying all the shares in Telex Communications Holdings. The appropriate regulatory approvals were granted on August 31, 2006. This acquisition sees Bosch boosting its operations for security systems. Purolator and Telex employ a workforce totaling around 3,000 and generated sales of well over half a billion dollars in 2005. "For us and all our divisions, the US is a key market, which we will also continue to strengthen with appropriate acquisitions," said Fehrenbach.

Expansion of production and development capacity in the US

Bosch is also expanding its production and development capacity in the US. In Plymouth Township, the second engineering center in the Detroit area is currently under construction. Driver assistance systems are just one of the products that will be developed here from 2007 onwards. 475 people will be employed in the new 21,000 m² 225,000 sq. ft.) premises. Investment in this individual project amounts to approximately €30 million ($37 million). "Overall, the Bosch Group is investing approximately €480 million ($600 million) in production and development facilities at the North American sites between 2004 and 2006," said Peter J. Marks, member of the Bosch Board of Management, whose responsibilities include American operations. New production capacity for diesel and gasoline injection is currently being created in Charleston und Anderson (South Carolina).

Bosch sees potential for growth in the US, in particular for Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and state of the art high-pressure diesel systems. Rising fuel prices are making economical diesel vehicles increasingly attractive. Tax incentives for low consumption vehicles through the US government's "Energy Bill" are also benefiting diesel. "We therefore expect diesel's market share for cars and light commercial vehicles to rise from the present 5 percent to 15 percent by 2015," says Marks. The number of new vehicles in North America fitted with ESP is already much higher. It is currently around 35 percent and is set to double by 2010.

Bosch media enquiries:

Chris Wakley / David Eden
Automotive PR
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7494 8050
Email: cwakley@automotivepr.com / deden@automotivepr.com

Bosch OE enquiries:

Beverley Daniels
Communications Manager
Robert Bosch Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1895 878155
Email: beverley.daniels@uk.bosch.com