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.”
This week an important automotive component celebrates its 110th birthday. No, it’s not the pneumatic tyre – John Boyd Dunlop is credited with its creation in 1887 – the birthday kid is the speedometer. To mark 110 years of its existence, automotive supplier Continental has released a text explaining where the speedometer came from, how it works and where it is heading:
It’s only a few months since German financial daily the Handelsblatt referred to Hankook as “an aggressive challenger” to Continental. On 9 October the newspaper reported on a challenge facing the German tyre maker from other quarters. In an interview, a senior Bridgestone manager let it be known that the global market leader also wants to play a leading role in Europe in future.
Statistics shared at Continental’s recent European ContiWinterRoadshow indicate that a total of 73.8 million winter passenger car and 4×4 tyres were sold in Western Europe last year and a further 18.7 million in Central Europe. These figures are up 12.8 per cent and 10.7 per cent year-on-year respectively. Last year’s sale of 92.5 million units is viewed as a ‘peak’ for winter tyres; Continental says it expects sales to stabilise at around 90 million by 2015. This year, the German manufacturer anticipates that both the Western and Central European markets will experience a moderate decline; it estimates 65.8 million winter passenger car and 4×4 tyres will be sold in Western Europe and 17.7 million in Central Europe.
Continental Tyres has been named as “Partner in Excellence” of Mercedes-Benz World, the brand experience centre located at the Brooklands motor racing circuit in Weybridge. According to Mercedes, this means Continental will supply tyres for all Mercedes-Benz vehicles used in the driving experiences both on the circuits and challenging 4×4 off-road terrain. As the lead tyre development partner for Mercedes-AMG division, Continental is said to be well placed to serve the many and varied demands of the entire Mercedes-Benz driving experience range.
The third generation of commercial vehicle tyres Continental is displaying at this week’s IAA Commercial Vehicles show has been described by the German manufacturer as the “most comprehensive product offensive for truck and bus tyres in the over 140-year history of the Hanover-based tyre manufacturer.” Continental says that from mid-2013 it will successively switch over all of its steering axle, drive axle, trailer and bus tyres across the world to new third generation products.
According to a report from DB Equity Research Automotive, Continental’s majority shareholder has sold 21 million Conti shares at a market price of 81.50 euros each and is using the proceeds to cut its debt by 1.6 billion euros, bringing its debt down to 10.6 billion euros.
Since the start of trading today, the Continental AG share has again been listed in the top Deutsche Börse segment, having returned to the list of top German companies after an absence of almost four years. The company is the first to succeed in being promoted back to the DAX 30 twice.
Some financial analysts have stated their faith in Continental AG’s continuing strong financial performance ahead of the company’s third quarter results.
Upgrading their estimates for the company’s shares performance, Morgan Stanley market watchers said they predict “10 per cent upside to 2012 consensus and circa 20 per cent in 2013-2014,” continuing: “We think valuation and third quarter catalyst make Continental the most attractive investment in the auto industry.”
Following its US launch earlier this year, Continental will soon roll out its ContiPressureCheck commercial vehicle TPMS in Europe. The early warning system was debuted locally at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show earlier today.
The Pirelli P Zero has taken top honours in Evo magazine’s annual tyre test. The Pirelli tyre and its rivals from Continental, Dunlop, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen and Vredestein were put through their paces on a circuit in the south of France, where wet handling, dry handling, braking and aquaplaning were assessed, followed by a drive on a mixed road route designed to replicate real world conditions.
A South African court ruled yesterday that any tyre maker who didn’t adopt the country’s REDISA waste tyre management plant would “not be entitled to manufacture [or] import new, part worn or retreaded tyres” and would also be subject to sanctions outlined in the waste tyre regulations and other legislative provisions. This decision, given by Judge Piet van der Byl at the Gauteng North High Court, put an end to efforts by the SA Tyre Recycling Process Company (SATRP) and Bridgestone South Africa to block this.
Continental’s employees are on the run – for a good cause. During ContiRunningWeek 2012, which is now underway, around 18,000 Continental employees at 90 sites will set off on runs or walks to raise money for charity. A number of local fundraising activities have been arranged, and Continental Corporation will donate the proceeds from its activities to Welthungerhilfe, a German charity that combats hunger and health issues around the globe.
US-based company Act(s) Marketing has been named the sponsorship marketing agency of record for Continental Tire in the US and Canada. In this capacity, Act(s) will serve as the official and exclusive agency representing Continental Tire in the ongoing activation of current sponsorship programmes along with exploration and evaluation of potential new partnerships throughout the region.
In American advice magazine, Consumer Reports’ latest tests of all-season and winter replacement tyres, Michelin and Continental lead the way, Tire Review reports. However, the results show that many tyres offer good overall performance. In total, CR tested 78 models of all-season and winter tyres: 20 T speed rated all-season tyres; 20 H speed rated and 22 V speed rated performance all-season tyres; and 16 winter tyre models.
Sailun says its winter tyres has been established in the North American and Canadian market for several years, and the company is now seeking to increase its seasonal prominence in Europe with its Ice Blazer range. Sailun is accessing the continental markets through appointed distributors covering traditionally strong winter tyre markets in Scandinavia and the Baltic region, as well as in Germany, where recent legislation has increased the profile of winter products, and Austria. Now, Sailun says it is seeking to add distribution of the product to the more temperate climates of France, Benelux and the UK, where it says distributors are “considering stocking the Ice Blazer patterns”.
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