From Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)

STUTTGART, Germany -- Stuttgart Germany-based automotive components multinational Bosch said today that it has begun production of common-rail injectors for diesel engines in India and expects to be producing 3.5 million annually by 2010. Bosch supplies the injectors that help reduce dangerous emissions to engine manufacturers.

The move follows a $135-million expansion of the Bosch factory in Nashik and was part of a previously announced plan to invest a total of $440 million dollars in India between 2005 and 2008.

Bosch predicted that the use of diesel engines in passenger cars in India would rise from 30 percent to 40 percent of annual production by 2010.

The new production line is set to produce 100,000 injectors in 2007. The Nashik site has been making components since 2006 and developing indigenous skill and expertise.

In 2006, worldwide sale of Bosch common rail systems was 6.8 million units, the company said.

Copyright 2007 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH