Share of new vehicles with ESP® grows further Most mini cars still without anti-skid system

* 60 percent of all newly registered cars in Europe with ESP® in 2009

* More and more compact cars feature this active safety system

* 80 percent of all new vehicles registered in Germany have ESP®

In Europe, the number of newly registered vehicles equipped with the ESP® electronic stability program rose from 55 to 60 percent in 2009. An evaluation of the new figures by Bosch shows that this was above all due to considerable growth in the compact car segment. In this vehicle class, the share of vehicles fitted with ESP® in the five leading European markets grew from 23 to 39 percent in just one year. The fitment rate is significantly lower in the A segment, which includes the smallest vehicles. Due to above-average demand for very inexpensive vehicles, the fitment rate in this segment fell from 20 to 17 percent. In two countries, this meant that the overall rate fell by one percentage point – to 80 percent in Germany, and to 41 percent in France. In all other countries, however, the share increased further, reaching 72 percent in Spain and 56 percent in Italy.

Bosch remains optimistic that this will further improve in the next few months. In 2009, for example, several manufacturers again made ESP® standard equipment in new models. Moreover, an EU regulation passed in 2009, which will take effect from November 2011, stipulates that all new passenger-car and commercial-vehicle models must be equipped with this active safety system. And this will apply to all new vehicles from November 2014. ESP® helps to prevent vehicles from skidding, and independent studies show that it can reduce the number of serious or deadly single-vehicle accidents by up to fifty percent. That makes ESP® the most important vehicle safety system after the seat belt, more important than the airbag.

Global activities for more road safety
In March 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2011 to 2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety. Despite progress in many countries, the number of road deaths has continued to rise in recent years. Some 1.3 million people die annually as a result of traffic accidents, and the UN estimates that 50 million sustain injuries. The goal of the UN initiative is to reduce the number of road deaths forecast for 2020 by half. Apart from improving road networks, this approach includes making active safety systems more advanced and more widespread.

The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in Europe now includes the lifesaving ESP® in its assessment criteria. As of 2010, only vehicle models that feature ESP® as standard equipment are eligible to receive the maximum five-star rating. On the basis of this, Euro NCAP has only recently started a new initiative that aims to emphasize even more strongly the importance of the safety systems offered by automakers. Details of the initiative were presented on July 13 at an event organized by eSafety Challenge, a pan-European communication initiative of FIA, the international automobile association, and the European Commission.

Many years of activity for more safety
As early as 1978, Bosch began manufacturing the first active safety system – the ABS antilock braking system. This was followed by the TCS traction control system in 1987, and ESP® in 1995. Recently, the predictive emergency braking system went into series production as an optional feature in the new Audi A8. If the system detects an impending rear-end collision, it warns drivers and helps them brake. If the collision cannot be prevented, it automatically triggers full braking shortly before impact, making the accident considerably less severe.


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 275,000 associates generated sales of 38.2 billion euros in fiscal 2009. 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 growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros for research and development, and applies for some 3,800 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.

PI7106 - July 2010