Bosch consolidates position as a leader in automotive technology with sales reaching Euro 23.3 billion

Bosch's spending on research and development in 2002 increased by almost ten percent to an estimated 2.5 billion Euros.

The maintenance of its innovative force, which is based upon the knowledge and competence of experienced employees, is the cornerstone of Bosch's corporate strategy. The Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH Mr Hermann Scholl announced recently that worldwide, Bosch has around 20,000 scientists, engineers, and technicians working on the improvement of the function and reliability of existing products and on the development of new products and systems. In 2002, the Group applied for the patent registration of 2,600 inventions - the highest number to date, which places the company at the top for the entire automotive industry.

"Bosch's continued success in the field of automotive technology globally can be attributed to our almost 30-year old but still very topical 3-S programme: to make cars safer, cleaner and more economic (which all starts with an S in German). The market response to Bosch automotive aftermarket parts in the Middle East has been very encouraging; with the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket business division (Bosch AA) registering a 20% rise in sales figures in the previous year. This figure is expected to rise further during the current financial year, considering more re-export segments opening up in the region specifically in Iraq," said Jacek Siwinski, General Manager, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East.

With the share of electronics in cars showing an upward trend, Bosch continues to invest in automobile systems that provide the company with a definite technological edge. Since the mid-nineties, Bosch has invested 2.2 billion Euros in electronic brake control systems. Brake control systems like the Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), the Traction Control System (TCS) or the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) pioneered by Bosch increase vehicular stability and provide greater safety in critical situations. Such systems account for more than 50% of Bosch's business in automotive engineering, making the group the biggest system supplier in the industry.

Bosch has around 250 subsidiaries and associated companies in over 50 countries. A total of 236 manufacturing sites, 179 of which are located outside Germany, support the group's international activities. Efficient sales and customer service play a key role in Bosch's continued growth with 9,000 Bosch Service centres with approximately 60,000 employees, located in 130 countries around the world.