Anniversaries, global awards, and dedicated training facility combine to make this year one to remember

Dubai, UAE, 24 April, 2013: Sales revenue growth for the first quarter of 2013 has already exceeded expectations at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, Middle East & Africa, according to Guido Gring, Vice President of the leading international supplier of automotive technology and services in the region.

Gring has hailed 2013 as one of the biggest and brightest years in the company's history, laying the perfect platform for future expansion and growth in the automotive aftermarket sector across the Middle East and African market.  The company has marked several key anniversaries throughout the year while its numerous global automotive award wins have further highlighted a remarkable year so far for the German manufacturer.

"Bosch Automotive Aftermarket had a strong 2012 in the Middle East and Africa region, and this has set us on course for even more success in 2013; we are already well on our way to eclipsing the double digit sales growth witnessed last year," said Gring, who was speaking today during a media briefing session at the dedicated Bosch Training Centre at the Dubai Airport Freezone.

"This year in particular is very important for us. In the first quarter of 2013, we have commemorated important anniversary milestones, celebrated global awards, and highlighted new innovations that further underline our status as a world leader in automotive aftermarket technology.

"The 111 year anniversary of Bosch Spark Plugs is the first in a long line of remarkable achievements for the company this year.  Since 1902, we have produced more than 11 billion of 20,000 different types of spark plugs, used by almost every vehicle manufacturer in the world, and most probably used in the same car that you drive today.

"We celebrate 100 years of Bosch generators in 2013 - generators that today provide all the energy a car needs, powering a multitude of electrical systems that make cars cleaner and more efficient, while improving safety and comfort."

Continued Gring: "Not only is Bosch one of the foremost global brands in Automotive Aftermarket technology and innovation, but it is also one of the most trusted. This is highlighted through several major honours awarded to us this year both by consumers and industry partners.

"We were voted the best brand in several categories by more than 200,000 readers of the two most popular German automotive magazines, 'Auto, Motor, und Sport', and 'Auto Bild', while we were also recently honoured by the BMW Group with the 'BMW Supplier Innovation Award' and the Toyota Motoring Company with the 'Global Contribution Award' - an award recognising our continuous improvement activities and collaboration with Toyota on a global level."

With the accolades and milestones coming thick and fast for Bosch Automotive Aftermarket in 2013, Gring said that the company has aggressive expansion plans ongoing throughout the MENA region, paying tribute to the dedicated Bosch Training Centre in Dubai, which since opening in 2006, has successfully trained 1,117 certified diesel and petrol mechanics and automotive technicians. The Dubai facility is one of 45 Bosch Service Training Centres in 39 countries, in which more than 116,000 participants are trained every year.

He added: "Many of these mechanics and technicians have gone on to work at one of the 209 dedicated Bosch Automotive Aftermarket service stations across the MENA region, and our continuous revenue growth and expansion is in no small part thanks to the large investment we have made into our dedicated Bosch training facility here in Dubai.

"So far in 2013, we have already received a further 44 participants to undergo diesel training. With another 53 Bosch Car Service and Diesel Service Centres opening across Maghreb, Levant, and Middle East countries this year, and a further 13 Express Car Service Centres in the pipeline, there will be plenty of opportunities for the qualified mechanics to find work once they have finished their training with us. "

More than 20 media representatives were out in force today at the Bosch Training Centre to hear the latest developments and plans at Bosch Automotive Aftermarket, Middle East and Africa, including the role and function of the training centre, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket workshop concepts, and the introduction of the Express Car Service in the Middle East market.

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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 17,000 associates in 150 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 650,000 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. In fiscal 2012, its roughly 306,000 associates generated sales of 52.5 billion euros. Since the beginning of 2013, its operations have been divided into four business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 360 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 50 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 4.8 billion euros for research and development in 2012, and applied for nearly 4,800 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

For further information please contact:
Gareth Wright / Hanae Ouakrime
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 428 1502 
Email:  gareth@totalcompr.ae / hanae@totalcompr.ae

© Press Release 2013