Bosch Reinforces Carbon Dioxide Reduction Technologies in California

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18, 2007 -- Bosch presented its portfolio of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction technologies Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at a symposium hosted by Audi and the German association of automobile industry, Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA). The event, including speeches, panel discussions and vehicle ride and drive demonstrations, intends to promote how activities of the German automotive industry advance the development of technologies reducing CO2 emissions. Bosch asserts the market application and utilization of a range of technologies including clean diesel injection, gasoline direct injection, hybrid drives and systems using alternative fuels are integral factors, vital for averting climate change.

"Although alternative fuels are growing in popularity, conventional internal combustion engines will remain the dominant powertrain option among U.S. light vehicles in the near future," said Ludwig Walz, Diesel Systems North America, Robert Bosch LLC. "Today's consumers are faced with rising fuel costs and a desire to reduce their impact on the environment. Bosch is committed to developing technologies that meet driver demands while benefiting the environment."

Bosch presented several green performance technologies that are either on the road today or will be in the future:

Common rail injection system, first introduced in 1997, has assisted in making diesel a powerful and viable powertrain solution that offers consumers improved fuel economy of 30 percent on average, reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 25 percent and increased performance with a 50 percent improvement in torque. Bosch's latest generation common rail system with innovative piezo- inline technology features a system pressure of 1,800 bar (26,000 psi). Compared with previous common rail systems, and based on design concepts, the latest generation common rail with piezo-inline technology has the potential of reducing fuel consumption by an additional three percent, lowering emissions by up to 20 percent, boosting engine power by up to five percent and reducing engine noise by up to three percent. Bosch is further developing the common rail system with piezo and solenoid actuators. Future upgrades will achieve system pressures of up to 2,000 bar (29,000 psi) for further reduction of pollutants.

DI-Motronic, Bosch's second generation gasoline direct injection system (GDI), together with turbocharging, offers greater revving range as well as higher torque at a lower speed range. This combination enables automakers to develop smaller engines, while maintaining performance. These downsized engines with GDI achieve the same output with a smaller displacement, and also consume less fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent.

Continuously variable transmission (CVT), which can be used in vehicles from sub-compact cars to SUVs with diesel, gasoline or hybrid drive systems, allows the vehicle to use up to 5 percent less fuel and emit less CO2. The CVT continuously adjusts the transmission ratio without interruption via a flexible steel belt, placed between two sets of pulley halves, which deliver power from the engine to the wheels. Bosch's annual CVT belt production figure is currently 2 million and the company predicts that by 2015, there will be 8 million newly licensed vehicles equipped with CVT transmissions.

Start/stop system, which switches off the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at a standstill to help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 8 percent in urban traffic. Bosch supplies the starter, which is a key component to the system and has been developed specifically for start/stop applications. The system switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and seamlessly restarts it again as soon as the driver wants to drive on.

Hybrid drives for automotive applications, which combine the internal combustion engine with an electric motor, offer great potential for cutting fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions. Gasoline hybrids emit 25 percent less CO2 than conventional gasoline engines, and diesel hybrids emit 20 percent less than their conventional counterparts. If such drives are used in conjunction with other features such as gasoline direct injection and optimized transmission systems, additional potential can be created. Bosch is also developing further methods for innovative start-stop techniques and the recovery of braking energy via the alternator, as these concepts also allow for notable CO2 reductions. For 2015, Bosch forecasts that hybrid vehicles will account for four percent of production in North America.

Fuels such as natural gas, ethanol, and synthetic plant-based biodiesel are becoming increasingly important as alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels made from petroleum. Bosch has begun series production of various engine management systems and injection components compatible with these alternative fuels. These products are the key to mobility that conserves resources and is environmentally friendly.

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 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros, or $54.7 billion in fiscal year 2006. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 300 subsidiary and regional companies in over 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spends more than three billion euros each year for research and development, and in 2006 applied for over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering."

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 24,750 associates in more than 80 primary and 20 associated facilities throughout the region with reported sales of $8.8 billion in 2006. For more information on the company, visit www.bosch.us.