National Press Release

30 locations turn off the lights to recognize environmental responsibility

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, 30 Bosch facilities will turn off the lights for one hour on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. local time in recognition of World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Earth Hour 2009. Earth Hour is a global initiative of the WWF, where individuals, businesses and governments turn off their lights for one hour to show support for action on climate change. Amongst others, Bosch's facilities in Farmington Hills and Plymouth, Mich. will be dark for 60 minutes. The Bosch Group global headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, participated in WWF's Earth Hour 2008.

Globally, Bosch is committed to environmental stewardship through its site practices and product development. The Bosch Group has established a target of decreasing CO2 emissions among its worldwide manufacturing operations by at least 25 percent against 2007 levels by 2020. In addition to participating in Earth Hour 2009, Bosch has partnered with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.wbcsd.org), a coalition of companies dedicated to pursuing sustainable growth.

In 2008, the company joined the Chicago Climate Exchange and committed to reducing direct greenhouse gas emissions at its US operations by six percent by 2010, compared to a baseline from the year 2000.

"In the U.S., Bosch is working diligently to create more effective energy and sustainability practices," said John Mirsky, vice president, technical and engineering services, Robert Bosch LLC. "We encourage all associates to participate in environmentally-responsible practices in the office, including recycling and energy conservation."

"In addition to implementing eco-conscious measures within our sites, Bosch continues to develop energy-efficient technologies, even in the difficult times we currently face," said Peter Marks, chairman, president and CEO, Robert Bosch LLC. "For the past two years, more than 40 percent of our R&D was directed at products that help protect the environment and conserve natural resources."

Ecology is one of the pillars of Bosch's success and has been a key driver for many product innovations, not only automotive powertrain technology, but systems utilizing renewable energies - from gearboxes for wind turbines to ground source heat pumps, and from solar collectors to photovoltaics. Examples of Bosch sustainable technology include:

    --  In 20 years, a Bosch Rexroth wind turbine will produce 80 million
        kilowatt hours of clean electric energy, replacing approximately 90,000
        tons of brown coal.
    --  Bosch Aquastar tankless hot water heaters provide up to 50 percent
        energy savings.
    --  Clean diesel technology helps vehicles achieve on average 30 percent
        improved fuel economy and up to a 25 percent reduction in C02 emissions.

Editor's Note: Bosch facilities in the following cities will observe Earth Hour 2009:

USA: West Memphis, AR; Santa Barbara, CA; Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach, FL; Albion, IN; Farmington Hills, Plymouth and St. Joseph, MI; Burnsville and Glencoe, MN; Londonderry, NH; South Plainfield, NJ; Fairport, NY; Lincolnton and Raleigh, NC; Pittsburgh and Somerset, PA; Charleston, SC; Johnson City and Knoxville, TN; Waitsfield and Williston, VT

Mexico: Aguascalientes, Juarez, Mexicali and San Luis Potosi

Canada: Mississauga, Ontario

About Bosch

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, some 282,000 associates generated sales of roughly 45 billion euros in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal 2008. 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 further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than three billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs approximately 25,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2007. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com.

SOURCE The Bosch Group