Bosch invests heavily in electric vehicle technology
Automotive supplier Bosch plans to invest lots of money into electric vehicle technologies, including $400 million into a joint venture with Samsung to create lithium ion batteries. The first individual cells should roll out of Bosch's doors sometime next year with complete lithium ion packs following a year later. Of course, batteries are part of any hybrid drivetrain, and that's where Bosch sees most of their packs going for the next few years before fully electric cars become more available. How long will that take? According to Bosch, the tried-and-true internal combustion engine has got another twenty years or so until its market share dwindles to a minority position.
Why invest in EVs if the payday is so far off in the future? Bosch's manager of battery development Joachim Fetzer likens the situation to that of ABS brakes, which took a large investment up front which didn't pay off until the brakes became commonplace. Now is the time for suppliers to get EV technology ready.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BlackbirdHighway 5:04AM (8/12/2008)
Wow, a company investing in something that won't generate profits immediately. How very un-American of them.
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gholland 8:15AM (8/12/2008)
I guess it truly is in vogue to bash America.
Whopper 8:42AM (8/12/2008)
"How very un-American of them." True, but not uncommon for German companies, which Robert Bosch is.
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Scatter 8:35AM (8/12/2008)
I think they're hedging. If fuel prices go north of $150, $200 then all of a sudden the internal combustion engine's remaining lifetime will be radically cut and they'll need to be in position.
"the tried-and-true internal combustion engine has got another twenty years or so until its market share dwindles to a minority position"
Also if they're talking globally then you can bet that ICE in western countries is going to dwindle to a minority position much quicker.
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G-Meister 10:37AM (8/12/2008)
Not only is Robert Bosch Corporation not American, but its also not publicly held, or even for profit. Year end profits go to the Robert Bosch Foundation, which invests heavily in medical research and other well-being projects.
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Andrei 2:44PM (8/12/2008)
I've always loved Bosch. Because they alwas make the best.
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