Bosch ECU Unit starts sparking

This unit would be making electronic control units (ECUs) for both petrol and diesel fuel injected engines in India and the first products to roll out from this spanking new facility are ECUs for Tata's small wonder, the Nano.

In any modern automobile with fuel injected engines, ECUs play a critical role to control their behaviour across their operating spectrum while also having a great deal of logic built into them for optimum efficiency. The main components of an ECU consist of a micro-controller with software applications and power stages. The software is embedded in a compact chip set which controls the fuel injection and also the ignition. ECU manufacturing is an art form especially as regards robust build with proper heat and dust insulation for use in an automobile.

The Naganathapura facility, is absolutely state-of-the-art with near complete automated manufacturing systems including a very innovative software embedder which is directly controlled from the Bosch technical HQ in Germany depending on the work flow for various car models from different car makers. A total of Rs 60 crores have already been invested in this facility and Bosch intends to put in an additional Rs 68 crores by the next year.

Speaking exclusively to ZigWheels, Dr Bernd Bohr, chairman of the Bosch Automotive Group said "With the start of manufacturing of electronic control units we are taking the next logical step (after common rail diesel fuel injection systems) by bringing the brain of the systems to India. With Bosch India's and former Mico's over 50 years legacy of producing mechanical parts of the highest precision and quality, the start of this facility at Naganathapura brings a whole set of competencies and opens up significant market segments in the area of engine management and also beyond, in the realm of vehicle safety and comfort."

Bohr's statement is pretty significant in that it indicates its next prong of advancement in the technological upgradation of Indian vehicles, notably in the retardation department. It is gearing up for a move with its Start-Stop system to be incorporated in various models from different OEMs plus from next year it is planning to commence manufacturing its Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) in India itself. Both these modern vital components in a car's make-up need to have their operating parameters controlled by a central unit and this brings the commissioning of the new Naganathapura facility into sharp focus.