Bosch to invest Rs 400 cr in '08

Bosch Ltd (formerly MICO Ltd), the Indian subsidiary of the Germany-based global automotive products major Bosch Group, has planned to invest around Rs 400 crore during 2008 in India. This is part of the company's ongoing investment programme for the country.

Bosch had during 2005 announced an investment plan of Rs 1,800 crore for the country spread over four years ending 2008. However, the parent company announced in

December last year an add-ition of Rs 850 crore to take the total investment in India to Rs 2,650 crore by 2010.

Of this, the company has already invested close to 60 per cent.

Announcing this at a press conference, here today, V K Viswanathan, managing director, Bosch Ltd, said of Rs 400 crore planned to be invested in 2008, Rs 110 crore will be invested in Bangalore plant including research and development activities. While the balance will be spread among its other plants like Nashik, Naganathapura and Jaipur. Last year also, the company had invested about Rs 400 crore in the country.

"Apart from the expansion of common rail production systems, the money will also be invested in manufacturing of gasoline systems components, anti-lock braking system and electronic control units. With this huge investments, in a variety of technologies and products, Bosch will meet its target of providing clean and safe technologies to the Indian market," he said.

He said Bosch is presently working with manufacturers to design diesel engines meeting the stringent emissions legislation in future such as the Bharat Stage 4 and beyond. "The country is poised to become the hub for low-priced vehicles. We see this as a good opportunity for our business and we will continue to work with OEMs towards providing them cost effective solutions," he added.