Hannover-based Continental AG is a leading automotive supplier and – according to the company – is “the choice of leading car manufacturers, offering award-winning tyres that deliver responsive braking in all weather conditions.”
The former Continental tyre factory in Kaluga, Russia is taking on the Gislaved name and will operate under the management of Cordiant Joint Stock Company. Of the three brands the previous owner produced within the Kaluga plant, Gislaved is the only one for which S8 Capital gained usage rights when acquiring Continental’s Russian assets.
Continental relaunched the Bandvulc retreading plant it acquired in 2016 as the ContiLifeCycle plant in March. Based on what Conti EMEA’s head of commercial consumer solutions Ralf Benack described as the existing “deep knowledge” of Bandvulc, the facility in Ivybridge, Devon has become a technical innovation hub for the company’s tyre retreading programme in the region. When Tyres & Accessories visited the plant later in the year, the manufacturer revealed the results of strong annual investments and its innovative implementation of automated processes for increased efficiency, and the key role that reatreading plays in Conti’s overall sustainability strategy.
After months of fine-tuning and integrating into development processes, Continental has begun operations with its new driving simulator for tyres and aims to use it in particular to assist original equipment tyre development. Tyrepress recently visited the simulator to find out more.
Continental Tyres and its retread brand Bandvulc are partnering with EcoDriven to support the environmental product promoter’s UK-wide Sustainability Showcase tour in 2024. The year-long programme championing sustainable solutions aims to the public to consider their environmental impact. The message will be delivered from a classic double-decker bus retrofitted with sustainable materials to demonstrate their effectiveness throughout its journey. Continental will supply its Bandvulc Citymaster 5 bus tyres and ContiPressureCheck TPMS system, both products that demonstrate its focus on sustainability. The tyre manufacturer and technology supplier wants to be ‘the most environmentally progressive tyre company’ with retreads, tyre maintenance and waste recycling all part of its strategy.
Continental will support luxury tuning firm Brabus at the Essen Motor Show 2023 (1-10 December). Brabus will present the Rocket R Limited Edition and Brabus 750 Bodo Buschmann Edition, both of which are limited to 25 models, and which fit Continental’s ultra-high performance SportContact 7. Continental will also supply ContiSportAttack 4 motorcycle tyres for the Brabus 1300 R Masterpiece Edition in its debut appearance, while the manufacturer will display its infotainment products on a separate stand (Hall 7, Stand A07).
Continental has introduced an updated ContiPT18 solid tyre with new tread wear indicators into its material handling portfolio. In addition to standard sizes, the tyre will be available in eight new sizes in the second quarter of 2024. Used primarily in intralogistics, the ContiPT18 product line is designed for indoor and outdoor use on any surface and is suitable for the highest demands and applications in three-shift operation.
Continental has extended its longstanding partnership with football club Hannover 96. The new contract runs for five years, starting with the 2023/2024 season, and is independent of the club’s league affiliation. Hannover 96 currently plays in Germany’s second division 2. Bundesliga.
The new Iveco eDaily 42S will drive exclusively on Continental tyres, with the Italian commercial vehicle manufacturer approving summer, all-season and winter tyre models as original equipment in size 235/65R16C 121/119R. Depending on market and preference, eDaily 42S buyers can choose from the Continental VanContact Ultra, VanContact Eco, VanContact4Season or VanContact Winter.
Continental has been named best tyre services provider by readers of German trade magazine Werkstatt aktuell. The Stuttgart-based publication surveyed readers to identify their favourite brands in the commercial vehicle service and aftersales sector from a choice of more than 120 brands in 21 categories.
Continental has announced plans for 400 million euros of annual cost-savings in its Automotive sector by 2025. The aim is to “create leaner business and administrative structures worldwide as well as quicker decision-making processes”. And that means streamlining the organisational structure within Automotive from six to five business areas.
As of 1 November 2023, Gerd Bartels takes over responsibility for Continental’s Specialty Tires business area. He succeeds Wolfgang Thomale, who Continental recently appointed head of the Surface Solutions business area within its ContiTech group sector.
Continental has published its financial results for the three months to 30 September with the comment that Q3 2023 concluded “in line with expectations.” For the Tires group sector, the expectation was thus lower sales but an improved earnings position.
Continental is celebrating winning NTDA Tyre Manufacturer of the Year Award 2023. The National Tyre Distributors Association 2023 Tyre Industry Awards were presented on 19th October at the Association’s 94th Annual Dinner, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes, UK.
The CEOs of 10 leading tyre manufacturers have gathered to confirm a two-year Tire Industry Project (TIP) workplan focused on “sustainability in the tyre lifecycle”. The plans includes targets relating to tyre-emission research and end-of-life tyre management amongst other points.
In 2016, Continental took the decision to bring back the manufacture of Conti-branded agricultural tyres under its own control. Production of Continental agricultural tyres had been carried out by Czech tyre maker Mitas from 2004, when it acquired the license, and had been due to continue until 2019. However, the acquisition of Mitas by agricultural tyre manufacturer Trelleborg Wheel Systems meant the Continental brand became surplus to requirements. Conti saw this as an early opportunity to re-enter the lucrative, high-technology agricultural tyre segment with a premium brand intended to compete at the top of the European segment and manufactured at the Continental Mabor plant in Lousado, Portugal with the help of an initial 50-million-euro investment and the recruitment of a manufacturing and R&D team.
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