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Bosch Manufactures 50 Millionth Oxygen Sensor

16 December 1997

Bosch Manufactures 50 Millionth Oxygen Sensor

     ANDERSON, S.C., Dec. 16 -- Robert Bosch Corporation's
Anderson, S.C., facility recently reached a production milestone, producing
its 50 millionth oxygen sensor -- enough, if laid end to end, to stretch from
Los Angeles to Boston.
    An oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in a vehicle's exhaust and
if the amount deviates from the optimum value, signals the engine computer to
adjust the air/fuel ratio to ensure gasoline combustion is as complete as
possible.  The oxygen sensor, in conjunction with a three-way catalyst,
reduces harmful emissions.  It also improves engine performance and fuel
efficiency.
    The Anderson manufacturing facility was established in 1985 and began
producing oxygen sensors in 1988.  Today, the facility employs more than 1,100
associates and produces 95 percent of all Bosch oxygen sensors sold to the
North American automotive market.
    In addition to oxygen sensors, the Anderson facility manufactures
subcomponents for gasoline fuel injection and ABS, including fuel rails, fuel
pump kits, electronic control units, wheel speed sensors, coils and relays.
    Bosch has been producing oxygen sensors since 1976 when they became
required equipment on all passenger cars and light trucks sold in North
America.
    "This is a notable milestone for the Anderson facility," said Warren
Suter, manager of manufacturing, operations and engineering for oxygen
sensors.  "As a result of increasingly stringent government emission and fuel
economy regulations, general concern for the environment, and the component's
proven performance and reliability, demand for our oxygen sensors has
increased steadily."
    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 Corporation is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Robert
Bosch GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.

SOURCE  Robert Bosch Corporation