Nashik: Leading global supplier of technology and automotive systems, Robert Bosch India today announced the roll out of the first common rail injector at the 1 Nashik facility of its Motor Industries Company Limited (MICO), following its investment of Rs1,800 crore in India between 2005 and 2008. (See: Bosch Group to commit large investments in CRDi unit)

A major part of this investment has been committed to the common rail development in India. Bosch has been manufacturing injector components for common rail in Nashik since 2006 and having developed indigenous skill and expertise, is now ready to start commercial production of complete rail injectors for both domestic and export markets. It will initially roll out 100,000 injectors in 2007, which will touch 3.5 million in 2010.

Founded in 1972, the Nashik facility under MICO is the biggest private sector employer in the city. Spread over 100 acres and it has been producing high quality injectors and nozzles for diesel engines of all types and applications. Since December 2005, the Nashik facility has been manufacturing and exporting high precision common rail injector components.

In November 2005, Bosch had signed a MoU with the Maharashtra government on common rail injectors and expansion of mechanical injectors at the Nashik plant.

"We are delighted to announce the launch of the common rail injector at Nashik, which further reinforces our capability to indigenously manufacture high technology products to meet the emission challenges," said Dr Albert Hieronimus, managing director, Motor Industries Company Ltd, the flagship of Bosh group subsidiaries in India.

In 2006, worldwide sale of Bosch common rail systems was 6.8 million units, which are projected to touch 8 million in 2007. Though in India Bosch sold 40,000 common rail systems in 2006, sales in 2010 are projected to touch 1.3 million units.

"The potential for the growth of diesel technology in the country is huge and Bosch is committed to play a significant role in the growth of this technology through its pioneering innovations. Ongoing large-scale investments in research and development have paid high dividends; our innovative technologies place us in a position where we can play a central role in shaping the future of the automobile technologies in many key areas," said Dr Hieronimus.

In 2006, Bosch Group worldwide spent over €2.7 billion on research and development - roughly 10 per cent of the €27.2 billion in sales achieved in this sector - in the automotive technology business sector alone.

It expects to spend a similar percentage in 2007, close to half of which in the future will benefit systems that directly help to conserve resources and protect the environment, an area that it has focused on; nearly 40 per cent of the 3,000 patents filed by the Bosch Group last year (1,200 patents) are directly related to environmental protection and resource conservation.

Mico is the flagship of the Bosch Group subsidiaries in India. Founded in 1951, Mico has grown over the years to become the largest auto component manufacturer in the country. The Bosch Group holds almost 70 per cent stake in Mico and has planned a sizeable investment to introduce and manufacture new world technology for the Indian market. It is headquartered in Bangalore with manufacturing facilities in Bangalore, Nashik, Naganathapura and Jaipur.