Bosch in Vietnam: Opening of 30-million euro hi-tech facility for automotive push belt manufacturing

* Continuous Variable Transmissions contribute to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emission of automobiles
* By 2015, total investment estimated of some 55 million euros and expected production volume of 2.3 million units for Asian customers

Stuttgart/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Bosch marked the official opening of a high-tech facility in Vietnam for the production of push belts used for Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) in automobiles.

Situated at Long Thanh Industrial Zone, Dong Nai Province, the plant is part of the Bosch Group’s Gasoline Systems division and spans over a land area of 160,000 square meters. It will produce up to 1.6 million push belts in its first year, which can be fitted into vehicles ranging from sub-compact cars to sports utility vehicles with diesel, gasoline or hybrid engines. To date, Bosch has invested some 30 million euros into the plant. It is projected to increase this investment to a total of some 55 million euros and employ 800 associates by 2015.

Dr. Rolf Bulander, President of the Bosch Group’s Gasoline Systems division, commented on the opening, “With the majority of our customers for CVT technology located in Asia, we expect our production volume in the new facility to rise to 2.3 million units by 2015 to support the growth of the automobile industry, in particular for the Japanese and Chinese automotive markets.” With some 200 associates, the plant is the first hi-tech CVT push belt production site for Bosch in Southeast Asia, and the second of its kind for Bosch worldwide after Tilburg in the Netherlands.

About Bosch’s CVT technology
Continuously variable transmissions feature maximum gear-shift sophistication and contribute to reduced fuel consumption. The fact that electronic control permits continuous variation of the transmission ratio means that customized gear-shift strategies become possible. These can be aligned to fuel-economy or sporting requirements. The very high transmission ratios permit operation at an economical operating point. Bosch’s CVT technology uses up to 15 percent less fuel than manual gearboxes. This also reduces carbon dioxide emission by up to 15 percent.

Additional benefits of the eco-friendly push belt include the dynamic acceleration, consistently low engine noise and the system’s intelligent adaptability to different driving styles to ensure smooth, continuous acceleration.

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 285,000 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros in fiscal 2010. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 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. Bosch spent 3.8 billion euros for research and development in 2010, and applied for over 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.

Bosch is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2011. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as a “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, www.bosch-press.com, and www.125bosch.com