Germany-based auto parts producer Bosch Group on Friday announced the appointment of Steffen Berns as managing director of Mumbai-listed Bosch Ltd as well as president of Bosch Group in India.

Mr. Berns will take over on January 1. He will replace V. K. Viswanathan, who will retire at the end of December, after heading the company's Indian operations for the last five years.

Mr. Berns, who is currently the head of the electronics business of the group's diesel arm, had previously served the group's India arm from 1996 to 1999.

During his previous service in India, Mr. Berns was responsible for original equipment sales and research & development work. Later, he also served the company as managing director of Robert Bosch Engineering Business Solutions.

The new managing director of Bosch Ltd said that the company in India had created an excellent track record owing to strong talent base, manufacturing capabilities, good customer relationships, and strong growth.

Speaking on the topic, he said, "We will continue and extend the journey further by strengthening local innovations and will additionally focus more on opportunities in non-automotive business fields."

Mr. Berns has been serving the Bosch Group since 1990 and has earned a great blend of technical and managerial experience along with international exposure.