Bosch to set up plant in India for making white goods

In a bid to make white goods, German auto parts maker Bosch Group is setting up a plant in India. The company is also planning to increase top-line from its engineering centre in the country as part of a strategy to expand its non-automotive business.

Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group, a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH and Siemens AG, will set up the plant in Tamil Nadu which will be commissioned this year. Bosch and Siemens market similar products in India, but their brands are positioned differently.

Bosch is marketed as a mass premium brand, while Siemens is sold in the super premium category. The range of refrigerators and washing machines under the Bosch brand will be expanded and there is a possibility of the company getting into more categories in the white goods’ segment.

Bosch is a major player in the diesel segment and 60% of its sales come from diesel segment. It is also among the larger suppliers of common rail direct injection (CRDI) systems in India. The company buys half of the components required for the CRDI systems (by value) locally.