• Unique collaboration between Bosch Power Tools and leading Indian banks to provide training and financial support to rural artisans
• Success of initiative in South India propels expansion to North India

Bangalore, April 9, 2007: The Power Tools Division of Bosch today announced the expansion of ‘Bosch Vaahan’, a mobile initiative to enhance the skills and livelihood of selfemployed rural artisans in India. Launched in 2006 in partnership with Canara Bank and Andhra Bank, the initiative includes a combination of product demonstrations and training with financial support to empower self-employed artisans to further their trade. Based on the success of the initiative which was launched in South India, the programme has now been extended to cover North India. A mobile van with a Bosch Power Tool display and demo area, as well as bank personnel will travel to select Indian locations over the next 3 months.

“We are excited to announce the flag off of our 2nd Bosch Vaahan,” said Mr. Navin Paul, Business Head, Power Tools Division. “Rural artisans are hampered by the lack of access to the latest equipment and technologies, and financial support. Through Bosch Vaahan, we aim to reach out to these artisans who have a rich cultural heritage and ensure that their talent is not just preserved but enhanced through appropriate tools.”

After its official flag off in Bangalore, the Van will reach Delhi from where it will travel towards Northern Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu before returning to Delhi.

The second phase will cover Eastern and Western Uttar Pradesh. The van will be equipped with Power Tools ranging from the Woodworking, Construction, metalworking and Cordless tools catering to the needs of self employed artisans, plumbers and electricians. The tools suit different applications like drilling, tightening/loosening, cutting, grinding, planning, sanding etc., with efficiency, reliability and easy handling.

They can be used for light, medium or tough tasks, both indoors and outdoors. The Bosch Vaahan will demonstrate the versatility of the tools to artisans and allow artisans to touch, feel and use the product at the venue.

After a year long successful collaboration with Canara Bank and Andhra Bank, this year Bosch has tied up with 5 more banks that include Indian Overseas Bank, Indian Bank, UCO Bank, State Bank of Indore and Syndicate Bank in order to provide loans to artisans who need financial support to procure these tools.

The power tool industry is valued at over $20 billion worldwide and it’s estimated worth including accessories is around Rs.450 crores in India. The market has crossed the Rs. 500 crore mark with a growth of 12% at the end of year 2006, driven by accelerating economic activity and the rising demand in this segment. Bosch has a service network that is spread across the length and breath of the country with around 105 authorized service centres dedicated to provide prompt and quality service to customers.

About the Bosch Group

The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods and building technology. In fiscal 2006, some 260,000 associates generated sales of 43.7 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering," the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 300 subsidiaries and more than 13,000 Bosch service centers in over 140 countries.

The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. A total of 92 % of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com

About Motor Industries Company Limited

Motor Industries Company Limited is the flagship of the Bosch Group in India. Founded in 1951, it has grown over the years to become India’s largest auto component manufacturer. It is also one of the largest Indo-German companies in India.

The Bosch Group holds 60.55% stake in Motor Industries Company Limited. Access to state-of-the-art technologies from Bosch and a commitment to world-class quality have made it the country's largest manufacturer of Diesel Fuel Injection Equipment and one among the largest in the world. It is headquartered in Bangalore with facilities in Bangalore, Nashik, Naganathapura and Jaipur. All the 4 plants are TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified. With strength of over 10,300 associates, the company manufactures and trades products as diverse as diesel and gasoline fuel injection equipment, industrial equipment, auto-electricals, hydraulics, electric power tools, packaging machines, security systems and Blaupunkt car audio systems.

It has a strong after sales network spanning across 1000 towns and cities in India with over 4,000 authorised representations which ensure widespread availability of both products and after-sales services. As Bosch is focusing on India to develop it as a technology hub, the company is gearing up to meet the challenges of the future.

Additional information can be accessed at www.boschindia.com