Tokyo －Bosch has concluded a sponsorship agreement with the GT Association (Chairman: Masaaki Bandoh, hereinafter "GTA") for Japan's top motor racing series, the "SUPER GT." The agreement spans a three year-period from 2020 to 2022. "Becoming part of Japan's most important race series is strategically important for Bosch. It reflects Bosch's ties to a market that is important for us both economically and technologically," says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. Bosch will be visible with different branding placements on all 15 GT500 Class cars as well as official vehicles such as the safety cars and First Rescue Operation cars, and other SUPER GT communication media such as program, posters and podium backdrop.

Since the year 2000, Bosch has been an official partner of Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) and provides specified components for all DTM racing cars. Based on the SUPER GT sponsorship agreement, for the next three years Bosch will supply various types of common components for all 15 cars of the GT500 Class, which is of the same "CLASS 1" common technical regulation as DTM. The components that Bosch is to supply include multi-display, engine control unit, sensors, starter, injector, power box, high-pressure pump, alternator and wiper motor, which are also equipped in DTM racing cars as common components. "For the Japanese automakers racing in the SUPER GT series, it is a sign that Bosch wants to help secure the future of this series, as well as make it technologically more attractive and dynamic. Finally, being part of the SUPER GT series will generate synergy effects for Bosch when it comes to developing components for the future of the combustion engine," says Heyn.

Bosch has contributed to the development of motor sports as a sponsor for many years and continually supplies the cutting-edge technology that can withstand harsh racing environments. With Bosch's years of experience responding to the needs of motor racing including DTM, Bosch can deliver the GT500 Class vehicles with components tailored to deliver the highest levels of performance while containing costs. In 2018, Bosch has also announced its sponsorship as a global partner of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the world's first purely electric single-seater racing series. Bosch is contributing to the further development of motor sports for a wide range of powertrain types.

"It is a great honor for Bosch to be chosen to contribute to the further development of motor sports through the sponsorship and the supply of components for the SUPER GT GT500," said Klaus Meder, president and representative director of Bosch Corporation during the press conference. "Bosch has been involved in motor sports for many years, beginning in 1901 with the supply of products for vehicles taking part in car races. Since then, Bosch's products that have been proven to be stable under harsh racing environments have been transferred into mass production vehicles. It means that the contribution to motor sports also leads to the technological advancement for mass production vehicles, making mobility safer, more efficient and fascinating."

GTA's Masaaki Bandoh made a comment as follows. "Many common parts are used in the CLASS1 regulations, and they bring not only cost reduction and equal opportunities to teams, but also deepens the collaboration between DTM and SUPER GT. As a supplier, Bosch's outstanding technology, high product precision, and reliability have been proven in various races around the world, including DTM, and GTA is delighted to welcome Bosch as an official sponsor of SUPER GT."

The GT500 cars equipped with the Bosch components are scheduled to debut at the season opening race at the Okayama International Circuit, on April 11 and 12, 2020.

Bosch continues to strive in contributing to the development of motor sports, as well as the overall advancement of automotive technology.

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