· For the first time: winning team with members from two competing companies

· Innovation of proven market success secures jobs

BERLIN – Today, Federal President Horst Köhler awarded Germany's 2005 award for innovation and advanced technology, the "Deutscher Zukunftspreis". The recipients are a research and development team headed by spokesman Friedrich Boecking from Bosch and Dr. Klaus Egger and Prof. Dr. Hans Meixner, both of Siemens VDO. Their project "Piezo Injectors: A new technology for clean and economical diesel and gasoline engines" was selected by the award jury as the best of a final shortlist comprising four nominated teams. This is the first time that an R&D team with members from two different and directly competing companies has received the honor. This innovation prize awarded by the Federal President is conferred on developments of high scientific caliber that are ready for market application. "We are proud and honored to receive this presidential award in recognition of the efforts being made in the automotive industry to advance both the ecological and economic aspects of its technology. I am particularly delighted for the award winners from the two companies, and their respective development teams who – competing intensely with each other – have succeeded in implementing the idea of using piezo technology in high-demand, high-volume products," commented Dr. Siegfried Dais, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH with corporate responsibility for R&D at the Bosch Group.

Piezo technology is suitable for both diesel and gasoline direct injection systems. As one of the world's largest manufacturers of injection technology for internal-combustion engines, Bosch initiated an image transformation for car diesel engines with the 1997 launch of the high-pressure common-rail system. Around 50 % of new-vehicle buyers are guided in their purchasing decision by considerations such as the fuel economy, engine response, and environmental soundness of today's advanced diesel technology.

The piezo technology which has garnered this presidential award has been instrumental in the performance improvements and market successes achieved. The third-generation common-rail series featuring piezo inline injectors was launched by Bosch in 2003. This system reduces not just exhaust emissions from the diesel engine but also its operating noise and fuel consumption.

The development and introduction of this high-pressure direct-injection technology is evidence of exemplary entrepreneurial courage and a commitment to viable long-term corporate strategies. Since the mid-1990's, both companies have invested well over five billion euros in the development and manufacture of such systems. The market success already achieved underlines the significance of such a forward-looking approach. In 2001, one year after production start-up of piezo common-rail systems, the number of piezo injectors manufactured hit the half-million mark. In 2004, Bosch and Siemens VDO Automotive together produced more than three million such injectors. In 2006, the aggregate production volume of the two companies is expected to be in the region of 16 million units.

The success of piezo technology with automobile owners has also helped secure employment levels: For manufacture of the piezo injectors alone, the two companies Bosch and Siemens employ around 9,400 people worldwide, of whom 6,000 work in Germany. In addition, the largely SME-sized components suppliers and machine manufacturers involved are keeping a further approx. 8,000 people in work – here again with the majority of the jobs in Germany.

Further information, photos, and illustrations can be found on the internet at www.bosch-presse.de using the search words "Piezo" and "Common Rail". For more information on the German Innovation and Advanced Tech Award, go to www.deutscher-zukunftspreis.de.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 275,000 associates generated sales of 38.2 billion euros in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros for research and development, and applies for some 3,800 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH. Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.

PI5145 - November 11, 2005