Bosch Expects Stable Growth 2012 For Global Auto Industry

Robert Bosch GmbH, the world's largest auto parts supplier, said Thursday it expects global automotive production to grow by between 3% and 5% year-on-year in 2012 after around 4% this year, driven by emerging markets, and reiterated its revenue guidance for 2011.

"We remain confident that Bosch Group sales will top EUR50 billion for the first time in 2011, up from EUR47.3 billion in 2010," the chairman of Bosch's automotive unit, Bernd Bohr, said in a speech at the Tokyo Motor Show.

MAIN FACTS:

- Bosch's automotive unit is expected to account for over EUR30 billion in revenue this year after EUR28.1 billion in 2010.

- Bohr said Bosch will "continue to invest considerable sums in our future" after spending around EUR3.3 billion in research and development this year.

- Bosch invests EUR400 million annually in electric mobility

- By 2013, Bosch aims to supply 21 projects for 13 global automakers. Bosch already supplies hybrid technology to Porsche Automobil Holding SE (PAH3.XE), Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) and Peugeot SA (UG.FR) vehicles.

- "We don't expect a major shift toward purely electric driving until the middle of the next decade. However, transitional solutions will likely be accepted before then," Bohr said.

 
-Frankfurt Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 49-69-29725-500