Bosch to ramp up high-end production from India

Germany-based Bosch is looking to expand high-end component manufacturing from India. The company would look at manufacturing electronic control units and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in the country in the coming years.

"We are looking, (and) could look at electronic products, for instance electronic control units," Bernd Bohr, chairman (automotive group) of Robert Group, said.

Bohr was in India for the commencement of production of common rail high pressure pumps from the company's Bangalore facility. Bosch is investing close to Rs 550 crore for manufacturing common rail diesel systems in India and this
investment is part of the Rs 1,800 crore funds earmarked for the country till 2008.

Optimistic on the high growth rates as well as low manufacturing costs in India, he said it was the low-cost base for Bosch in asia. "India is the low-cost base for Bosch in Asia," he said.

Asked about the price benefits of locally manufacturing in India, against importing from a high-cost location, Bohr said it was in the range of 10-20%.

In future, Bosch would focus on technologies like ABS and electronic stability program (ESP) for the Indian market. "Bosch has played a crucial role in the development of automotive technology in India and will continue to do so in the coming years," Bohr said.