Bosch Scales Up Production for Brakes Aftermarket Program

Increased Capacity for Brake Components

* Significant increase of production capacity for brake pads in Mexico and China
* Remanufacturing of brake calipers further expanded
* Investment in brake disc production by Buderus

Vehicle brake systems are placed under continual and considerable strain, and are subject to constant wear. This is why automotive workshops carry out brake servicing and repair work on a regular basis. If components in the brake system need to be replaced, the workshop can find the right spare part in the extensive aftermarket range offered by Bosch, which covers virtually every vehicle on the European market. This special aftermarket offering includes brake pads, brake discs and brake calipers, plus the brake hydraulics along with brake master cylinder and wheel brake cylinder. The range also contains components for use in state-of-the-art brake systems, such as the ABS or ESP® systems that Bosch has been instrumental in developing. With a special focus on commercial transactions, Bosch is currently undertaking a major expansion of its development and global production operations for high-quality brake components for the aftermarket.

Substantial Expansion of Brake Pad Production for the Aftermarket
Global production capacity for brake pads offered by Bosch in its aftermarket range will increase significantly over the next two years: Production of brake pads at the Bosch plant in Juarez, Mexico will increase by twelve million units by June 2011, while Bosch is set to increase pad production in China by around four million units by September. A new Bosch plant will also be constructed in Nanjing, China. This plant is set to produce around 80 million brake pads per year from September 2012. This location will also be home to a new development center for aftermarket brake pads, featuring state-of-the-art test benches and testing equipment.

In Germany, Bosch is increasing its capacity for remanufacturing brake calipers at its plant in Göttingen, so that it can meet the demands presented by the increasing volume for the aftermarket program. Brake disc production operations are also being significantly expanded: The Bosch subsidiary Buderus Guss GmbH, based in Breidenbach in the German state of Hesse and one of the leading original equipment suppliers for brake discs, is undertaking a major extension of its modern iron foundry. The Bosch aftermarket range for brake discs is also set to benefit from this increased capacity.

These investments underline the critical importance of brake spare parts for the Bosch aftermarket program. Further significant expansion is set to following, allowing Bosch to offer workshops and trade a complete range -from hydraulic units to brake pads – as part of a maintenance and repair service from a single source.

The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles . Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufactured in-house. More than 10,000 associates in 140 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 450,000 different spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. In its “Diagnostics” operations, AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Car Service” repair-shop franchise, the world’s largest independent chain of repair-shops, with some 15,000 franchises. In addition, AA is responsible for more than 500 “AutoCrew” partners.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, some 283,500 associates generated sales of 47.3 billion euros in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal 2010. 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 further growth. Bosch spent some four 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.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, and www.125bosch.com.