Despite weak economy and automotive crisis: Bosch expects higher sales

Stagnating vehicle production, weak demand, and problems with electromobility and automated driving: Automotive suppliers in particular are suffering as a result. Nevertheless, Bosch anticipates an increase in sales of around two percent for its Bosch Mobility supplier division this year. This was announced by the company at the IAA Mobility motor show in Munich. The largest business division accounts for more than 60 percent of total sales of over 90 billion euros. Bosch blames several factors for the cautious optimism.

Hardware and software from a single source

As a supplier of drives, safety systems, steering and braking systems as well as sensors, Bosch supplies hardware and the corresponding software. “Bosch can do both: software and hardware,” says CEO Dr. Stefan Hartung. “Without sophisticated hardware, even the smartest car won't move a single millimeter.” Artificial intelligence has also become an important pillar of the core business. Bosch says it has supplied a high-performance computer for a cockpit in China that can be interacted with in natural language.

To achieve its sales targets and cushion the impact of the crisis, Bosch has been pursuing a series of cost-cutting programs since the end of 2023. As part of this, the Group has cut several thousand jobs in recent years. More are to follow in the coming years.

(aki)