Bosch USA is a regional branch of the Bosch Group, one of the world's largest private industrial corporations, with 261,300 associates and annual sales revenues of $54.9 billion (43.7 billion euros). In North America, the Bosch Group has nearly 24,750 associates, and in business year 2006 achieved total consolidated sales of $8.8 billion (7.0 billion euros). The United States has played a vital role in Bosch’s history. Back in 1906, Robert Bosch, a man of enterprise and vision, believed that one of the products he developed -- the magneto ignition system -- would provide a technological innovation that would be enthusiastically accepted in the U.S. marketplace. Ever since, U.S. customers continue to warmly respond to Bosch innovation and quality.