Bosch has closed its Australian automotive test centre and sent equipment to other countries after failing to win enough new business from local and regional car companies following the 2008 closure of Mitsubishi Motor’s manufacturing facility.
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The global economic downturn had earlier this year forced the supplier to cut 12% of its Australian workforce – around 170 jobs – but it told local online piblication GoAutoNews that the test centre’s closure was not directly related to that move.
Robert Bosch (Australia) corporate business manager Alex Haberle was quoted as saying the closure of Mitsubishi’s Australian car manufacturing operations in 2008 – for whom Bosch did a significant amount of
engine development work – had left the test centre under-used.
Other work for General Motors unit Holden and Ford Australia – which both have local car and engine manufacturing operations – plus other work from overseas was insufficient for the test centre to remain viable.
Bosch had tried to obtain more work without success.
Haberle told GoAutoNews the test centre’s equipment and services had been relocated to other Bosch locations around the world.
India was believed to be the main recipient, the report added.
