Bosch targets trailer safety

German engineering and electronics giant Bosch is opening up a new research and design facility focussing on trailer safety as part of a $40 million expansion of its Australian headquarters in Melbourne.

Due for completion in 2016, the new facility will develop Bosch’s first trailer safety products and assistance systems in Australia, for both local and overseas markets including the US.

While unwilling to divulge the exact nature of the products to be developed due to “competitive reasons”, Bosch is expected to roll out a number of “new trailer safety solutions” that cater to all aspects of the trailer market including the RV, marine and trucking industries.

“Bosch will investigate and develop safety technologies that assist in all aspects of trailer safety,” said Bosch Australia president Gavin Smith.

He said Bosch’s research and development in trailer safety will be “driven and adapted from its pioneering work in the automotive market”.

“Bosch already has ‘trailer sway mitigation’ functions which vehicle manufacturers can select for the stability control system being fitted to their vehicles as original equipment," Smith said.

“As with the safety systems Bosch has developed for passenger and light commercial vehicles, Bosch will bring price competitive, market leading solutions that address a variety of towed vehicle safety issues.”

The new products will initially be sold in Australia and the US, which Bosch said comprises approximately one million new trailer registrations each year including caravans and 12 million registered trailers in total.

“Our (trailer safety) centre of competence offers a valuable opportunity for Bosch Australia to research and develop new technologies to make traveling with a trailer safer for everyone,” Smith said.

Bosch is the latest German company with an Australian facility to focus on trailer safety, following the recent investment by RV components specialist Al-Ko at its Melbourne research and design facility, where the

first caravan stability control system for electric-braked caravans was developed and manufactured along with a new independent trailing arm suspension due to be launched shortly.

Bosch said it has invested more than $225 million in Australia and New Zealand over the past 10 years. The Australian arm employs around 1300 people and generates annual revenues of more than $700 million.