ATCUAE President Sulayem says technology leaders needed to play key role in reducing accident threat
Dubai, UAE: Motorcycle riding in the UAE and the rest of the Gulf region is set for a safer and more eco-friendly future under major plans by Bosch to reposition itself in the rapidly expanding motorcycle market.
The technology and services company is about to pool its motorcycle activities from the areas of riding safety systems, powertrain technology, and display instruments into one business unit, the newly formed “Two-Wheeler and Powersports.”
The objective is to more effectively address manufacturers’ requirements, with a big emphasis on making sure Bosch technology is better used to make motorcycles safer, as is already the case with cars, and reduce emissions.
“We intend to make the future of motorcycling in regions like the Gulf safer and cleaner,” said Andreas Bodemer, Vice President of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East and Africa.
“We’re aiming to become a leading supplier in the motorcycle market, just as we are in the auto business. Performance already shows that Bosch technology for more efficiency and safety should be part of any car, and in the future the same will go for motorcycles.”
Use of technology to improve road safety in order to reduce accidents and deaths is strongly supported by Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring
Club of the UAE, which represents the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) in the Emirates.
“We need the leaders in this field to continue to develop technology to make our roads safer,” said Sulayem. “Anything that can be done to improve safety for motorcyclists
and all other road users must be encouraged.”
The Bosch reorganisation comes at a time when studies indicate that by 2021, more than 160 million two-wheelers will be produced annually – a third more than today.
Bosch components service the entire two-wheeler spectrum, and the company is the market leader for motorcycle safety equipment such as Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC).
GIDAS, the accident database, says using ABS can prevent one-quarter of all motorcycle accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities. It also says MSC can have a positive effect on the outcome of two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents caused on curves by rider error.
In countries like the UAE which are witnessing growing measures to protect the environment, Bosch is looking to play an important role with the use of technology that reduces motorcycle fuel consumption.
“Our electronically controlled injection system can cut fuel consumption by up to 16 percent, depending on conditions and environment,” said Bodemer. “This is how we are already helping to reduce emissions in countries such as China and India, and it’s an area where we expect to contribute a great deal more through Bosch technological developments.”
About Bosch
The Automotive Aftermarket division (AA) provides the aftermarket and repair shops worldwide with a complete range of diagnostic and repair shop equipment and a wide range of spare parts – from new and exchange parts to repair solutions – for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Its product portfolio includes products made as Bosch original equipment, as well as aftermarket products and services developed and manufactured in-house. More than 16,000 associates in 150 countries, as well as a global logistics network, ensure that some 450,000 different spare parts reach customers quickly and on time. In its “Automotive Service Solutions” operations, AA supplies testing and repair-shop technology, diagnostic software, service training, and information services. In addition, the division is responsible for the “Bosch Service” repair-shop franchise, one of the world’s largest independent chains of repair-shops, with some 16,000 franchises.
Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch-automotive.com.
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services, active in the fields of automotive technology, energy and building technology, industrial technology, and consumer goods. According to preliminary figures, more than 306,000 associates generated sales of 52.3 billion euros in 2012. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 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. Bosch spent some 4.5 billion euros for research and development in 2012, and applied for over 4,700 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is “Invented for life.”
Further information is available online at www.bosch.com