FARMINGTON HILLS, MI -- In 2006, the Bosch Group increased its North American sales by 5 percent, reaching $8.8 billion. All three of the company's business sectors – Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, and Consumer Goods and Building Technology -- contributed to the result, according to the company.

The company said increased sales however could not surmount the impact of key market factors (i.e., rising raw materials and fuel costs, production cuts among key automakers and a slowdown in construction) on capacity utilization and productivity.

"2006 proved to be a mixed year for Bosch in North America," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC and member of the board of management, Robert Bosch GmbH. "Challenges within the U.S. manufacturing sector and particularly within the automotive industry have impacted the company's return. Yet, we have expanded our activities in security systems and heating systems by means of acquisitions. In future, we remain committed to investing in innovation and are focused on securing long-term profitable growth."

Bosch's North American Automotive Technology sector saw a sales increase of more than five percent to $5.8 billion in 2006. Automotive Technology, inclusive of original equipment and aftermarket activities, is Bosch's largest business sector with more than 14,200 associates in North America. The intensifying need for fuel economy and environmental solutions propel the potential for growth in "clean diesel" and gasoline direct injection technologies. Electronic stability control (ESC) will double the installation rate in the U.S. from 36 percent in 2006 to 72 percent in 2010. In the same period, Bosch intends to triple its annual sales of ESC in the U.S. to approximately three million units per year.

Committed to a vigorous investment in innovation, the Bosch Group invested $5.2 billion, or 7.6 percent of its sales, in research and development worldwide. With approximately 26,000 associates working in research and development, Bosch's patent applications rose 9 percent in 2006 to 3,056 patents. The company further cements its presence in the region as 2006 capital expenditures in North America exceeded $400 million.

For more information about Bosch, go to: http://www.bosch.us.