Bosch Sales Increase 8 Percent in North America

Continued Strength in Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods/Building Technology Businesses; Automotive Technology also Grows

Global Sales Increase 6.4 Percent; Company Registers Growth in All Regions and Business Sectors

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 24 -- In 2005, the Bosch Group increased its North American sales by more than 8 percent, reaching $8.4 billion (6.8 billion euros). Preliminary results indicate strong growth in all three of the company's business sectors -- Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology. Global Bosch Group sales grew 6.4 percent in 2005, to $51.7 billion (41.5 billion euros).

"Bosch's growth in North America in 2005 is a testament to our dedicated focus on research and development," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch Corporation and member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. "On a worldwide basis, the Bosch Group invested 7 percent of its revenue into research and development, which enables us to develop high quality clean, safe, efficient, and more comfortable products."

Automotive Technology

Bosch's North American Automotive Technology sector saw a sales increase of approximately 5 percent to $5.5 billion (4.4 billion euros) in 2005. Automotive Technology, inclusive of original equipment and aftermarket activities, is Bosch's largest business sector with more than 14,000 associates in North America. Worldwide sales of Automotive Technology sector grew faster than global automobile production to $32.7 billion (26.3 billion euros) in 2005, an increase of 5.4 percent over the previous year.

Industrial Technology

The Industrial Technology sector had a sales increase of 21 percent, reaching $1.2 billion (1 billion euros) in 2005. With over 3,100 associates, Bosch continues to make a strong impact in this sector with its automation solutions via Bosch Rexroth and packaging technology. Global Industrial Technology sales rose by just under 13 percent to $6.5 billion (5.2 billion euros)

Consumer Goods and Building Technology

The Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sector achieved growth of more than 6 percent, resulting in 2005 revenues totaling $1.7 billion (1.4 billion euros). In North America, Consumer Goods and Building Technology employs nearly 5,500 associates and supplies products that include power tools, security systems, home appliances and thermo-technology. The Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sector worldwide increased its sales revenue by 6.1 percent to $ 12.5 billion (10 billion euros).

Future Growth Planned

Bosch will continue to pursue expansion globally, and has identified the Americas (North and South America) as one of two key regions for growth. In North America, Bosch has more than 80 plants and sales and distribution centers. The Americas region contributes 19% of Bosch's global sales, and this contribution is expected to increase further.

"Due to the economic, production and product opportunities the region offers, the U.S. is a vital market in the Americas region where we plan aggressive growth," said Marks. "To achieve our long-term growth goals, we will remain focused on our founding attributes - long-term perspective, innovative strength, quality and customer satisfaction."

Bosch will actively manage its portfolio through product innovation and strategic acquisitions. For its Automotive Technology sector, Bosch sees opportunities for growth in the U.S., especially for its clean diesel and gasoline direct injection technology, electronic stability control, driver assistance systems and aftermarket product portfolio. Bosch will continue to focus on its core competencies and expand its products and services within its Industrial Technology and Consumer Goods and Building Technology sectors.

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2005, some 251,000 associates generated sales of 41.5 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering," the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of more than 280 subsidiaries and more than 12,000 Bosch service centers in over 140 countries.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs nearly 22,700 associates in more than 80 primary and 20 associated facilities throughout the region with reported sales of $8.4 billion in 2005. This year marks Bosch's 100th year of operating in the U.S. For more information on the company and the Centennial, visit http://www.bosch.us/ .