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Our list of the largest automotive suppliers in Germany provides you with comprehensive insights into the most important players in the German automotive supplier sector. In addition to current revenue and employee figures, you will also find valuable information on industry focus, executives, and contact details. The data is conveniently available as an Excel file for direct download.
What is the highest-revenue German automotive supplier in 2025?
Short answer: Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch). With € 91.6 billion in revenue (FY 2023), Bosch is, according to ResearchGermany’s market research, the largest German automotive supplier in 2025 and one of the world’s leading technology providers.
Group overview
Legal form: GmbH | Registered office: Stuttgart | Head office: Gerlingen
Employees: 429,416 (12/31/2023)
Revenue 2023: € 91.596 billion (nominal +3.8% / currency-adjusted +8.0%)
Operating EBIT margin 2023: 5.3% (prior year: 4.3%)
Ownership & governance structure
- Equity stakes: Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH (~94%), ERBO II GmbH (~5%), Robert Bosch GmbH (~1%).
- Voting rights: ~93% Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG; remaining voting rights held by descendants of the company founder.
- This structure secures entrepreneurial independence and a long-term orientation.
Organization & segments
- Mobility (largest division; reorganized since 2024)
- Industrial Technology (including Bosch Rexroth)
- Consumer Goods (Power Tools, BSH Home Appliances)
- Energy and Building Technology (Home Comfort, Building Technologies, Global Service Solutions)
Realignment & focus areas in Mobility (from 2024)
- Electrified Motion: standalone business unit for e-mobility (e-machines, inverters, eAxle, 800 V technology, thermal management).
- Vehicle Motion: steering, braking, and occupant safety systems combined (e.g., Integrated Power Brake, by-wire actuators).
- Cross-Domain Computing Solutions: ADAS/automated driving, domain controllers, E/E architectures, software platforms.
- Mobility Electronics: ECUs & semiconductors (ASICs, power semiconductors, MEMS; also for consumer goods via Sensortec).
- Mobility Aftermarket: spare parts, workshop equipment, networks (Bosch Car Service, Auto-Crew).
- Other units: Bosch eBike Systems, Bosch Engineering/ITK, Two-Wheeler & Powersports.
Growth fields & technology
- E-mobility: scaling e-axles, 800 V charging, connected energy/thermal management; service expansion in the workshop network.
- Fuel cell & H2: start of series production of PEM fuel-cell systems (Feuerbach); stacks from Bamberg; components from Homburg; H2 engines & electrolysis.
- Semiconductors: capacity expansion in Reutlingen & Dresden (300 mm), acquisition of Roseville site (SiC); ESMC joint venture in Dresden.
- Software-defined vehicle: central E/E architectures, OTA updates; ETAS as platform provider (basic software, middleware, security).
- ADAS/automation: partnerships (e.g., Cariad); focus on Level 2 to 3, automated parking/charging services.
Key figures 2023 (excerpt)
- Revenue by divisions: Mobility € 56.2 bn; Industrial Technology € 7.4 bn; Consumer Goods € 19.9 bn; Energy & Building Technology € 7.7 bn.
- R&D expenditure: € 7.3 bn (ratio 8.0%; ~72% attributable to Mobility).
- Capital expenditures (PP&E): € 5.5 bn (6.0% of revenue).
- Free cash flow: € 2.2 bn.
Outlook 2024
- Revenue: target corridor +5 to +7%.
- Operating EBIT margin: roughly at prior-year level, as transformation and restructuring effects still weigh on 2024.
- FCF target: ≥ 1% of revenue.
Peer comparison – major German automotive suppliers
| Ranking (DE) | Company | Revenue 2023 | Employees 2023 | Focus areas | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Bosch GmbH | € 91.596 bn | 429,416 | Universal supplier (powertrain, vehicle dynamics, electronics/software, semiconductors, aftermarket) | Stuttgart / Gerlingen |
| 2 | ZF Friedrichshafen AG | € 46.627 bn | 166,679 | Powertrain, chassis, safety systems | Friedrichshafen |
| 3 | Continental AG | € 46.627 bn | 166,679 | Tires, interior/electronics, safety | Hanover |
| 4 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | € 16.313 bn | 83,682 | Engine/transmission, chassis, precision bearings | Herzogenaurach |
| 5 | MAHLE GmbH | € 12.818 bn | 71,980 | Powertrain/thermal management | Stuttgart |
Why does Bosch lead the ranking?
- Largest revenue driver Mobility with broad system competence (hardware & software).
- Economies of scale & portfolio depth from semiconductors to aftermarket.
- High R&D performance and strong position in e-mobility, ADAS, and power semiconductors (SiC).
- Resilient ownership structure enables long-term investments in future fields.
Conclusion
Bosch remains the highest-revenue German automotive supplier in 2025. The combination of hardware excellence, a growing software and semiconductor business, and the consistent transformation of the Mobility organization positions the group for the key trends of electrification, automation, and the software-defined vehicle.
Also relevant: our article describing how we updated our market-leading 2025 automotive suppliers database with key figures.
Image source: Getty Images, 01.09.2025
Last Updated on 5 months ago
