Focus on product upgradation in India
Bosch, an established global supplier of technology and services, has been a pioneer in bringing out new and innovative products and solutions for the automotive industry. In 2011, the company spent 4.2 billion Euros for research and development as part of its effort at providing innovative solutions to its customers. More recently, the company has come out with a set of technologies for the commercial vehicle segment related, among others, to hybrid powertrains, CNG systems and LCV brake control systems.
Following the successful launch of parallel full-hybrid technology for passenger cars, Bosch is now working on its hybrid technology for commercial vehicles.
The company is transferring its hybrid expertise to components and systems for long-haul trucks up to 40 metric tons in weight and for medium and heavy delivery trucks.
Fleet operators benefit from lower operating costs. A fuel saving of up to six per cent is possible in long haul traffic, while the saving on multi-drop delivery runs can be as high as 20 per cent, with CO2 emissions reduced by the same amount.
In addition, hybrid technology means vehicles can be driven off purely electrically. This is not only silent, but also offers high starting torque.
The system’s modular design means that the components can cover the needs of a wider market and be adapted to diverse applications in the medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle segment, in long-haul and multi-drop delivery traffic, and in buses.
A start-stop function can also be integrated, opening up further fuel-saving potential, especially in urban delivery traffic.
CNG systems
Diesel and gasoline engines that can also run on compressed natural gas (CNG) are gaining popularity in the global commercial vehicle segment. Many countries are already promoting the introduction of vehicles running on CNG because they are most eco-friendly. CNG engines emit 15 to 20 per cent less CO2 than conventional diesel engines. Using natural gas also helps conserve oil reserves, while biogas opens up additional resources. CV operators also benefit from the lower running cost of a CNG engine.
Monovalent engines, or engines that run exclusively on CNG, are currently found mainly in urban vehicles such as buses or garbage collection vehicles. The dual-fuel engine is also designed for medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. When using this system, CNG rather than diesel can be relied upon for almost 90 per cent of the time. Bosch’s dependable and extremely compact NG12 CNG injector can be used in both monovalent and dual-fuel applications, as also in the EGC4 and EGC10 control units.
In light commercial vehicles, bivalent (biofuel) systems are used, in this case combining CNG and gasoline, and are based on modified spark ignition engines. For this segment, Bosch offers the NG12 CNG injector, which has also worked reliably in the passenger car segment for years now, and the NG-Motronic biofuel engine control unit, which is based on the Motronic for gasoline injection.
LCV brake control system
Following the launch of ESP 9 in passenger cars, Bosch is now introducing this new generation LCV brake control system.
With ESP 9TE, a number of additional ESP functions will now be available for the first time for the weightier segment of light commercial vehicles weighing up to eight metric tons.
These functions include brake prefill by bringing the brake pads into position, automatic braking in hazardous situations, and safety interventions on steep gradients.
Bosch is planning to start series production in 2014. ESP 9LE is already being manufactured and its application optimized above all for the types of van with high pressures in their main brake cylinders currently found in Europe.
Indian market
In the Indian market, all Bosch business divisions have maintained strong growth over the years. The company has a well-established footprint in terms of manufacturing, R&D, sales and application support across the country.
With emission norms becoming more stringent, there is a greater need for latest technologies like common rail systems to meet the gruelling demands of Indian roads.
The growth of common rail systems and telematics in the Indian market is an encouraging sign of technology upgradation, according to Mr. Navin Paul, Executive Vice President, OE Sales, Bosch Ltd. India currently follows BS IV emission standard in major cities which is likely to be extended throughout the country by 2015.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) has already gained popularity in the Indian market. While the system is currently being supplied to the LCV segment, the company is looking at ABS for heavy vehicles as well.
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is another technology which Bosch is trying to introduce in the Indian CV segment. Both ABS and ESP might become mandatory under law in the coming years – a move which would be a significant step towards improving road safety standards.
Bosch currently offers telematics for commercial vehicles, though the requirements are a fraction of that in the passenger car segment.
It is running pilot trails with customers which would give the latter a clear understanding of the benefits of telematics.
The company is also vigorously working on upgrading the facilities, both hardware and software, at its dealerships in order to better address the growing service requirements in the country.