More than 11 billion spark plugs manufactured worldwide, as MENA 2012 sales grow 7.5 per cent
Dubai, UAE, 9 April 2013 -(ASIA TODAY)- Bosch, one of the leading international suppliers of automotive technology and services has marked another milestone, celebrating 111 years of producing the world’s most reliable and trusted spark plugs for internal combustion engines.
The story began on January 7, 1902, when the German based company was granted the patent for a high voltage magneto in combination with a spark plug, meaning Bosch was the first to guarantee ignition of combustion engines, achieving a breakthrough in the global automotive industry.
Since then, Bosch has produced more than 11 billion of 20,000 different types of spark plugs, with their current range of 1,250 spark plugs used by almost every vehicle manufacturer in the world.
The important 111 year milestone comes as sales of Bosch spark plugs for the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region grew by 7.5 per cent in 2012.
Guido Gring, Vice President of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, Middle East and Africa commented: “For 111 years, Bosch spark plugs have played an essential role in the development of high performance, economical and environmentally friendly engines.”
“In the MENA region, most Original Equipment Manufacturers and independent workshops put their trust in Bosch spark plugs for their equipment, while boat engines, jet skis, garden and forestry equipment, stationary gas engines, water pumps and emergency generators also use our spark plugs.”
In addition to factories in Stuttgart and Bamberg in Germany, Bosch has manufacturing locations for its highly sought after spark plugs in the major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
Due to innovative material combinations, complex construction details, and state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, Bosch spark plugs enable clean and efficient fuel combustion in gasoline engines, protecting both the engine, and the catalytic converter – a device in the exhaust system of vehicles that converts pollutant gases into less harmful gases.
Added Gring: “Working closely with engine manufacturers worldwide, Bosch engineers have consistently developed the spark plugs since their conception. Among motorists, Bosch spark plugs have been synonymous with reliability and quality for many years, and it’s this reputation that is the driving force behind our sales growth in the MENA region every year.”
Bosch was recently nominated in the famous “Auto Bild” poll of the world’s best brands, as voted by around 100,000 readers. Bosch appeared in six categories, winning the car batteries, windshield wipers, workshop chains and spark plugs categories. Furthermore, the company enjoyed another double success for its car batteries, with readers confirming that Bosch batteries offer the best quality and service life, as well as the best price to performance ratio.
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About Bosch
The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufac¬tured in-house. More than 16,000 associates in 140 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 450,000 different spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. In its “Automotive Service Solutions” operations, AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Service” repair-shop franchise, one of the world’s largest independent chains of repair-shops, with some 16,000 franchises.
Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive.com.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, active in the fields of automotive technology, energy and building technology, industrial technology, and con¬sumer goods. According to preliminary figures, more than 306,000 associates generated sales of 52.3 billion euros in 2012. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent some 4.5 billion euros for research and development in 2012, and applied for over 4,700 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is “Invented for life.”
Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com