China to be 2nd in Bosch's headcount

BEIJING, Aug. 10 -- The world's leading auto parts maker Bosch said China would represent some 40 percent of its total workforce in the Asia-Pacific by the end of 2008, placing the region's workforce second only to Germany in terms of numbers.

"China is a main contributor to the increase of the Bosch business in Asia. We attach a special importance to the recruiting, training and retaining of skilled associates," said Uwe Raschke, who has just taken charge of Bosch's Asia-Pacific business.

Raschke is the successor to Rudolf Colm, who has taken up a new role within the Bosch board of management, steering the worldwide activities in the consumer goods and building technology business sectors.

The Stuttgart-based company announced that it would invest 1.9 billion euros ($2.85 billion) in the Asia-Pacific region from 2008 to 2010.

By the end of 2007, Bosch had invested around 1 billion euros in China, and it will invest a further 850 million euros in the country between 2008 and 2010.

"We see great growth potential in Asia for all our business sectors especially as it relates to green technologies to conserve resources and protect the environment," said Rudolf Colm.

He said Bosch drive systems for the car are geared to lower consumption and emissions, both in the diesel and the gasoline engines. The company continues to develop automotive technologies that are safe, clean and economical with a special focus on innovation and localized solutions for Asian manufacturers, including low price vehicle applications.