BOSCH UPS ITS PATENT ACTIVITY: Researchers and developers at Bosch made a record number (2,791) of patent applications in 2004 (2003: 2,748). Bosch’s Automotive Technology division claims it registered more patent applications than any other company in the automotive industry.

In 2004, the key areas for patent applications were electronic system networking and driver assistance systems – two areas in which Bosch is intensively pushing technological progress. Across all divisions, the Bosch Group is ranked in third position at the European Patent Office for the number of applications lodged.

All in all, the Bosch Group once more raised spending for research and development above the average industry level to almost €3 billion in the past year. Of the total Bosch workforce of 242,500, more than 22,000 are active in research and development.