Bosch bets on JVs to speed up next-gen mobility push

BENGALURU: German auto technology supplier Bosch is increasingly looking at partnerships and joint ventures to accelerate development and market entry in newer mobility technologies, marking a shift from its traditionally in-house approach, its India managing director told TOI.

The comments come a day after Bosch announced a joint venture with Wheels India and Brakes India, both part of the TSF Group, to develop electronically controlled and software-driven air systems for commercial vehicles.

“Historically, Bosch has always done everything ourselves,” Bosch India MD Guruprasad Mudlapur told TOI. But he said the company is now seeing greater value in combining complementary strengths through partnerships, particularly in emerging automotive technologies.

“The market outlooks and the strengths of companies on how we can complementarily put things together, be quick in the market, how we develop things can be a lot more dynamic and different in today’s environment when we partner,” he said.

Mudlapur added that “this is a thought process which is now gaining widespread attention in the group.”

While JVs are relatively new for Bosch India, they are not new to the German group globally. Bosch has long operated through partnerships in China across automotive electronics and mobility systems, including through United Automotive Electronic Systems, a long-running JV in the country’s automotive electronics market.

Mudlapur also pointed to Bosch’s existing JV structures in China, saying the company has partnered with several large automotive players there over the years.

The newly announced India JV will focus on electronically controlled systems for air compression, suspension and braking in commercial vehicles. Bosch will contribute electronics, software and controls capabilities, while the TSF Group brings expertise in hydraulics and pneumatics systems.

Mudlapur said the partnership is primarily aimed at improving “speed to market”, while localisation may emerge as a “byproduct.” He also clarified that the JV was “not” a China-plus-one strategy.

The venture will initially focus largely on exports, he said, as advanced electronically controlled braking and suspension systems are already more widely adopted in Western markets than in India.

“It starts off largely with exports,” Mudlapur said, adding that the systems are currently more relevant in overseas commercial vehicle markets.

Separately, Bosch said it remains cautious about geopolitical risks and crude oil volatility linked to the West Asia crisis, warning that higher fuel-price pass-throughs could eventually affect the broader economy and demand environment.

Bosch India on Wednesday reported a 37.6% rise in net profit for the financial year 2025-26 at Rs 2,770 crore, while revenue from operations rose 10.8% to Rs 20,034 crore. For the March quarter, net profit rose 2.7% year-on-year to Rs 568 crore, while revenue increased 13.3% to Rs 5,566 crore.