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.”
Two tyre makers have both pledged aid to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan on 8 November, and a third is contributing to aid efforts following the earthquake there three weeks earlier.
Didn’t know today was World Quality Day? Neither did we. Nevertheless, the United Nations-established event has been held since 1990 and aims to increase worldwide awareness of the important contribution quality makes to national and organisational growth and prosperity. Continental says 16 of its Tire division locations around the world are participating in the day; under the slogan “Continuously Striving for Best in Class in Quality, employees will organise events and activities in order to raise quality awareness.
The €143.85 premium that shares in Continental AG currently command (as of 1pm, 13 November) is the company’s highest-ever share price, yet US bank Citgroup anticipates a target price of €164 – and it has therefore given the company a “buy” rating. Analyst Philip Watkins writes that the tyre and automotive systems company continues to have the sector’s best business model, and opines that the company’s third quarter figures underline its technological leadership.
New sizes have been added to the Mitas Super Flexion Tyre (SFT) range. At this week’s Agritechnica fair in Germany, the tyre maker gave word of six new fitments for the SFT, a range designed for high horsepower tractors and initially sold in the North American market prior to their global release next year. The new sizes are 900/60R42; 710/60R34; 650/60R34; 710/65R46; 750/65R26 and 580/85R42.
Continental Tyres has appointed Tom Edwards as its new retread and brand manager in the UK and Ireland commercial vehicle marketing team, and Gabriel O’Keefe as a truck sales manager, covering Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland border counties.
Falken Tire has signed up as a partner to the series formed by the merger of the American Le Mans Series and Rolex Sports Car Series and announced earlier this year. Company officials signed the two-year deal with those from the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) – which sanctions the new Tudor United SportsCar Championship – at the SEMA show in the US on 6 November. In addition to being a partner of IMSA and the Tudor Championship, Falken will serve as a tyre supplier for the open-supply GT Le Mans (GTLM) class, one of four classes included in the championship.
Consolidated sales at Germany’s Continental AG reached €8.35 billion in the three months to 30 September, a 2.65 per cent increase on the same period of 2012. Adjusted sales were up 2.44 per cent to €8.31 billion. EBITDA rose 10.36 per cent year-on-year in the quarter to €1.32 billion (15.8 per cent of sales, up from 14.7 per cent) and EBIT grew 15.58 per cent to €886.3 million (10.6 per cent of sales, up from 9.4 per cent).
Karlheinz Haupt (56) is now head of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Business Unit in Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division, effective 1 November 2013. He succeeds Friedrich Angerbauer (49) who has been appointed Head of Purchasing for the Chassis & Safety Division. The business unit is headquartered in Lindau, Germany.
The solid tyre portfolio offered by Continental’s Commercial Specialty Tires (CST) business has grown with the addition of three new fitments for forklifts. These are the CS20, SC20 Mileage+ and SC20 Energy+. All three are super elastic tyres that fit on industrial pneumatic tyre rims and each is also available in a non-marking version for industries where a clean environment is critical.
The EICMA motorcycle show in Italy serves as a platform for the tyre industry to present next season’s new products. Pirelli says it will display two new Metzeler-brand motorcycle tyres at the show, and Continental is also bringing its latest to Milan.
Developed in co-operation with Europe’s leading car manufacturers, the ContiEcoContact 5 “sets new standards in terms of the environment and safety”, according to Continental. As we all know, the continued challenge in tyre design is to reduce rolling resistance and wear whilst, at the same time, ensure that the tyre is still good at wet braking.
With the launch of the new RainSport 3 at the end of September, engineers at Uniroyal have developed what they call “a new generation of asymmetrical profiles combining the advantages of unidirectional tread concepts with those of asymmetrical tread concepts”. With its flow-optimized, asymmetrical tread, the Rainsport 3 offers a high level of protection against aquaplaning, precise handling on wet and dry roads, uniform abrasion, and comfortable driving behaviour.
Mitas AS has will continue to be able to produce Continental-branded tyres under licence until the end of 2019, following an extension of the company’s trademark licence for an additional five years. Mitas acquired the agricultural tyre business unit from Continental AG in 2004 and is currently producing Mitas- and Cultor-branded tyres as well as Continental tyres under licence.
The Russian city of Kaluga is home to several European vehicle manufacturers, including Volkswagen, PSMA and Volvo Trucks, along with suppliers such as Magna, Faurecia, Benteller and Gestamp. The name Continental now joins this list following the official start of production at the company’s new tyre factory in Kaluga on 29 October.
Pakistan-based publication The International News reported on 29 October that The General Tyre and Rubber Company of Pakistan Limited, or Gentipak, will establish a new manufacturing facility in the country’s north. Details of this plan were given by company chairman Lt Gen (Retired) Ali Kuli Khan Khattak at a gathering to commemorate Gentipak’s half-century in Pakistan.
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