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Milestones

Published on: May 19, 2021, 2 p.m.
Bosch and a century of progress
  • First customer training center

By S.M. BOOTHEM

Bosch is a leading supplier of technology and services in the areas of mobility solutions, industrial technology, consumer goods, and energy and building technology in India. It set up its manufacturing operations in 1951; they have grown over the years to include 16 manufacturing sites and seven development and application centres.

The first Bosch installation and repair workshop opened its doors in Hamburg in 1921. Since then, it has been growing into a brand known for high quality car service, thereby establishing Bosch Car Service (BCS) to become the world’s largest multi-brand car service workshop network. Today, over 83,000 partners are spread across more than 15,000 Bosch service workshops in 150 countries carrying out service and repairs on over 210,000 vehicles every day.

In India, BCS has 250 workshops along with a company owned and company operated (CoCo) car service that offers car drivers an extensive range of services and solutions. BCS network partners benefit from Bosch’s ever-growing expertise in diagnostic technology, availability of high quality and genuine spare parts and technical training for its workshop technicians.

A qualification system within the Bosch service excellence program, including regular audits and service quality assessments, ensures the high quality of BCS workshop partners. The car drivers benefit from genuine Bosch parts, sound technical know-how and efficient services of the workshop personnel who are up to date with the regular training courses offered by Bosch. As a leading global supplier of technology and services, the company is one of the most important drivers of innovation in the field of mobility, which in turn benefits the BCS brand, its network partners and their customers. 

“BCS in India has been growing at a strong pace, clocking a high double-digit growth in 2020 over the previous year,” says Anjan Kumar R – regional president, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket. “This is also the highest growth posted in the BCS network expansion across geographies, in the milestone marking 100 years of presence, despite the prevailing Covid challenges. Our value proposition towards passenger car workshops has been strengthened over the last many months. This has been a major attraction for many OEM workshops across the country to convert to a BCS workshop, especially the recent outlets in Mumbai, Chandigarh, Chennai and Ahmedabad. Now is the best time for independent workshops to join a 100-year-old and strong network with the expertise of running a global multi-brand car service concept. We offer comprehensive services namely vehicle diagnosis, wide range of spare parts, technical service and support to car owners that are at par with leading OEMs across the country. Importantly, while achieving the 100-year milestone, we have also created a futuristic digital ecosystem for multi-brand workshops and an ecosystem beyond compare,” adds Kumar.

  • BCS 100 Celebration: an optimistic look towards the future

Bosch offers value enhancement to its network, through diverse co-operation models with leading players, such as 3M, ITW, Mahindra Insurance Brokers, Assurant India, and Gates Unitta India. Many more such tie-ups in the pipeline. Alliances of this kind enable improved accessibility and affordability for managing the operations of workshops.

Going forward, Bosch is commemorating their 100-year success story with an optimistic look towards the future. The objective is to further expand its network count by targeting significant growth in India, coordinate with customers and workshop partners on the basis of digital solutions and smart use of data, and reinforce its position as a reliable and innovative mobility partner across the world. According to the company, by offering comprehensive vehicle repair solutions, service & value propositions, BCS has become ‘your workshop next door for everything your car needs’. 

  • Offering comprehensive services with leading OEMs across the country

100 years’ journey

1921: The first Bosch service workshop opens its doors in Hamburg under the name: Robert Bosch AG installation and repair workshop.

1936: Market launch of the diesel injection pump for passenger cars.

1955: The first training centres for customer service are opened in Stuttgart.

1960: More than 3,000 Bosch service workshops are active in over 13 different countries and enjoy a worldwide reputation for good quality.

1965: The first special training centres for automotive parts are set up.

1970: A new Bosch service logo is presented.

1981: The Service Information System (SIS) now makes troubleshooting on cars easier.

1988: Introduction of the first diagnostic tester Bosch KTS 300.

1989: The Bosch system technician training concept is introduced to ensure that all BCS technicians are trained in the most modern practices.

1991: Diagnostic software for everyone: Introduction of the Bosch workshop software ESI (tronic) on CD-ROM.

1995: Bosch is represented by over 10,000 workshops in 125 countries.

1999: New concept, new logo: BCS with a new look.

2000: The Bosch Classic Service is here, specialising in vintage and classic automobiles. By 2000, Bosch had registered patents for 2,400 inventions. Most of them fall into the field of auto technology, which makes Bosch the most innovative company in this area.

2014: Bosch supports concept partners with a new series of training courses for Bosch system technicians and with the qualification to become a high-voltage expert.

2017: The first company-owned company operated Bosch car service inaugurated in Bengaluru.

2021: BCS celebrates its 100th anniversary.

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