Bosch lays foundation stone for new plant in Russia

The Bosch Group has laid the foundation stone for its new plant at Samara in Russia. From 2015, Bosch products will roll off the assembly line in Samara. The site itself covers a total surface area of 200,000 square metres, the equivalent of about 29 soccer fields. The buildings will offer 22,000 square metres of floor space and will be used for manufacturing, administration, and logistics. By the end of 2016, the global supplier of technology and services will have invested 50 million euros (Rs 424 crore) in Samara.
As a result of low vehicle density and vehicle age – almost every second car in Russia is older than ten years. Bosch expects the country's annual vehicle production to grow continuously, from almost two million today to around three million in 2020. "The new manufacturing site in Samara is the next step in our long-term strategy. We aim to expand our presence in this region and seize the opportunities that the market offers," says Gerhard Pfeifer, president of the Bosch Group in Russia and CIS, at the official laying of the foundation stone. "This investment reflects our positive expectations of the Russian market."

Production for local customers
Until now, the Chassis Systems Control, Starter Motors and Generators, and Diesel Systems divisions have been present in Samara. In the future, the Electric Drives division will also have a home here. With the new plant, Bosch aims to manufacture automotive technologies primarily for local customers. These will include, for instance, anti-lock braking systems, starters and generators, common rail injectors for commercial vehicles, and windshield wiper systems.
Bosch has been present in Russia since 1904. The country was one of the first outside Germany in which a sales organisation was established.