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48 June 2018 | AutoData RESULT » BOSCH By André Barros LATIN AMERICA SMILES AGAIN After two years of decrease Bosch’s revenues resumed growth levels in the region in 2017 - and for this year the expectation is the same B osch, after two consecutive years of decline, is celebrating the results obtained in Latin America: driven by the recovery of the Brazilian vehicle production, the company closed 2017with revenues of R$ 6.1 billion, which represen- ted a 7% increase compared to numbers of 2016. According to the company the figure meant an improvement in the operational result of the region, although it was not re- vealed if the final balance showed positive or negative numbers. Brazilwas the direct responsible for the growth resumption because it represents 80% of LatinAmerican businesses - in 2017 sales represented R$ 4.9 billion only in the country. Of this total, 28% came from exports, having markets of its own region as well as North America and Europe as the main destinations. According to Besaliel Botelho, presi- dent in the region, due to the exchange rate last year exports lost little share in total invoiced revenues. However, he considers that this is still a healthy index and that this number must grow in 2018, “because we have competitiveness in the United States, Europe and Asia.” The mobility area, which contains the automotive businesses, is the most rele- vant inside the Bosch Group: it represented 65% of sales in the region. Then, far away, there are business with consumer goods, 22%, industrial technology, 8%, and energy and building technology, 5%. IN PARAGUAY For the result of 2018 the expectation is to repeat the evolution index, in other words, to grow in the 7% range once more. So far, the numbers have been even bet- ter, says Besaliel Botelho , president in the region: “We started 2018 very well, with increase higher than 20% in the first four months.” Marcos Peron/Disclousure/Bosch