CDF Voice | Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH

Hello, I’m Stefan Hartung. On behalf of the Bosch Group, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the China Development Forum on its 25th anniversary.

Bosch has been part of this platform since 2008, and this is the third time I've attended this forum. In a world of rapid change, China remains a driving force in the global economy, technology, supply chains, and sustainability. The CDF provides an important stage for high-level dialogue and collaboration.

Over the past year, Bosch successfully continued to grow its business in China. According to preliminary figures in 2024, Bosch generated sales revenue of 142.8 billion CNY in China - a 2.7% increase year-on-year. China is our largest market worldwide and home to our biggest workforce outside Germany. With our extensive presence and activities in China, we’re witnessing the country’s dynamic development firsthand, boosted by AI, digitalization, green technologies, as well as advances in the manufacturing sphere. These shifts are not only unlocking new potential within China but are also helping shape industries worldwide.

This is why Bosch is deeply committed to doing business in China, and why we continue to expand our local footprint. In 2024, for example, we opened a new R&D and manufacturing base in Suzhou for new energy vehicle components and automated driving. Our joint venture UAES opened its new plant for mobility technologies in Taicang. In addition, we partnered with a local player to build a new plant in Nanchang, focusing on electric drive systems for commercial vehicles. China’s speed in innovation is unmatched. To stay competitive, Bosch must harness local expertise and drive innovation here.

To this end, we work with almost all automakers in the Chinese market and offer our complete portfolio locally – from fuel cells and e-Axles to windshield wipers and central computers. We’re now working closely with Chinese customers to pioneer solutions like electric powertrain systems, advanced driving solutions, vehicle motion management, and hydrogen fuel cell solutions. These innovations, applied first or developed in China, will help us respond quickly to growing demands from other markets as well. We also support Chinese OEMs in expanding internationally, not only with automotive solutions but also with industrial automation and manufacturing expertise.

At Bosch, we believe that openness and global collaboration are vital for innovation. In this regard, we welcome the Chinese government’s efforts to foster innovation, advance industrial modernization, and create a more open business environment. Above all, we remain confident in China’s potential and excited to deepen collaboration with our local partners so that we can drive forward the development of tomorrow’s key technologies together.

Thank you.

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