Robert Bosch GmbH Establishes New Automotive Division

8 May 1998

    FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 8 -- Robert Bosch GmbH today
announced the establishment of its On-Board Electronics Division, effective
July 1, 1998.  With the creation of this division, Bosch will combine its
bodywork and information electronics activities under one business unit,
allowing the company to provide total body electronic system capabilities to
OE automakers.
    The new division, with expected sales of approximately $500 million in
1998, will be headquartered in Schwieberdingen, Germany and will employ 1,800
people worldwide.  Approximately 25 engineering and sales personnel will be
working on various division projects at Robert Bosch Corporation's Automotive
Group headquarters in Farmington Hills.  Dr. Helmut Schwarz, currently
president of Robert Bosch Corporation's Automotive Group, will have overall
responsibility for all the division's technical functions (engineering,
manufacturing and sales) worldwide.
    "System sourcing and globalization of the automotive industry make it
necessary to combine our body electronic product lines together into one
entity," said Schwarz, executive vice president of the On-Board Electronics
Division.  "Our customers are looking for a single-source supplier who can
provide total system capabilities in the area of electronics worldwide."
    The On-Board Electronics Division, which combines many of Bosch's product
lines, will include instrument display, locking and vehicle security systems,
climate control, mobile communications, body electronics, control units and
relays.  With the establishment of the new division, Bosch will be able to
intensify its development of cockpit electronics including information and
communications systems.
    Bosch designs and produces precision automotive components and systems
sold to vehicle and powertrain manufacturers in the U.S. and abroad.  These
include systems and components for gasoline and diesel injection, airbag
components, ABS and conventional brake systems, lighting components, as well
as small motors, electrical equipment and electronics.
    Robert Bosch Corp. is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Robert Bosch
GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

SOURCE  Robert Bosch GmbH