Bosch is ramping up its focus on India, reinforcing the country’s role as a critical hub for two- and three-wheeler innovation. With extensive localisation, cutting-edge software expertise, and increasing manufacturing muscle, India is set to become a cornerstone of Bosch’s global mobility vision.
17 Mar 2025 | 2089 Views | By Ketan Thakkar & Shahkar Abidi
India’s prominence in the global automotive industry is set to grow significantly, as Bosch, the German engineering and technology giant, shifts greater focus to the country in its global strategy. With India already serving as a key center for Bosch’s two-wheeler and three wheeler division—pioneering advancements in fuel injection and ...
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India’s prominence in the global automotive industry is set to grow significantly, as Bosch, the German engineering and technology giant, shifts greater focus to the country in its global strategy. With India already serving as a key center for Bosch’s two-wheeler and three wheeler division—pioneering advancements in fuel injection and electric vehicle (EV) technologies, this strategic emphasis reflects the country's importance in the company’s long-term roadmap.
Andreas Dempf, Head of Sales and Customers for Bosch Mobility Solutions, articulated this evolving approach. “So domain-wise, we take a call on which region takes the lead. For instance, in electronic fuel injection, in two-wheelers, it’s India. In electrification today, the domain lead is in China,” he remarked, adding that this decentralised strategy, which empowers regional hubs, highlights Bosch’s commitment to leveraging local expertise to address global challenges.
Bosch has significant plans for localisation in the twoand three-wheeler markets in India, with a strong focus on leveraging existing capabilities and expanding further, the top executive stated. He added that while they are already localised for the current scale, Bosch is assessing how to position the value chain if there is sudden scaling in the two- and three-wheeler markets.
According to the company, while the three wheeler segment is already witnessing a trend towards huge growth, the two wheelers are already moving in the similar direction. "So for the scale of what we see now, we already stand localised. The question is more relevant than if we now expect a very huge scaling in the two wheeler and three-wheeler market," he explained.
Dempf added that given the harmonisation of global regulations, particularly with OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) for two-wheelers, Bosch sees potential for Indian production to serve as an export base, particularly to Europe, in partnership with OEMs.
India Edge
India’s automotive sector occupies a distinct position in Bosch’s global operations, driven by its ability to adapt to two transformative trends: electrification and regulatory convergence. While markets in North America, Europe, and China focus on advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous technologies, India’s trajectory leans toward affordability and costefficient innovation, shaped by local consumer priorities and infrastructure realities.
Dempf noted that Bosch’s approach in India balances software and hardware innovation, tailored to meet the market’s specific needs. Areas such as braking systems, powertrain solutions, and safety technologies are being designed with India’s road conditions and regulatory landscape in mind. Next-generation vehicle architectures and enhanced computing capabilities form the backbone of Bosch’s global strategy, but in India, these are reengineered for practical, value-driven applications.
Software Edge
India’s reputation as a software powerhouse further strengthens Bosch’s strategy. The company’s local workforce includes over 20,000 software professionals, providing a critical advantage in developing solutions for global automotive challenges. “Convergence is happening, and we are best suited to follow and support them in this process,” Sandeep Nelamangala, Joint Managing Director of Bosch Limited and President of Bosch Mobility India said, underlining the pivotal role of Indian talent in Bosch’s innovation ecosystem.
Export Potential
Beyond serving its domestic market, India is emerging as a major export hub for Bosch. Currently, 10-11% of the company’s products from India are focused on exports, including the hydraulic components, but efforts are underway to expand this share, particularly in electrification. The long-term vision is to strengthen India’s role as a global supplier, although Nelamangala refrained from specifying growth targets. “I wouldn’t like to quote a target number for that, but this is clearly a focal area for us,” he noted.
As Bosch expands its investment in India, the country is set to play a more significant role in the company's global operations. By aligning its strategies in India with international trends, Bosch is advancing its objectives, while contributing to India's growing importance in the future of mobility.