August 1, 2013: There has been a change of guard at Bosch Automotive Electronics India. Panduranga Prabhu has been appointed as the new MD with effect from August 1, 2013. He takes over from Dr M Hildenbrand, who was the first managing director of Bosch Automotive Electronics India since its inception in 2008. Dr Hildenbrand will now return to Germany and take up a new assignment.
Congratulating Prabhu on his new role, Dr Steffen Berns, managing director, Bosch Ltd & president Bosch Group India, said, “Prabhu brings with him rich experience and international exposure in several automotive domains. The automotive electronics industry in India is developing fast and offers substantial growth opportunities. The recent M-SIPS approval on the proposed investment of Rs 550 crore for the manufacturing of electronic components will further help Bosch Automotive Electronics to increase its global competitiveness.”
Prabhu is a Bosch veteran. Prior to his new role, he was regional business unit head for Diesel and Gasoline ECU business in India and global head for two-wheeler systems and business development. He has been associated with Bosch for 26 years.
Bosch Automotive Electronics India (RBAI), a 100 percent subsidiary of the Bosch Group in India, started its operations in 2008 with the inauguration of its manufacturing plant at Naganathapura, Bangalore. The company manufactures Electronic Control Units (ECUs) for diesel and petrol fuel injection systems, to cater to both domestic and international OE customers directly, as well as, via the Diesel Systems and Gasoline Systems division. In addition, RBAI also manufactures Body Electronics such as immobilisers and Body Control Modules. In April 2013, RBAI inaugurated Phase II of its existing hangar at its plant in Naganathapura to meet the growing demands of the India market.