When Tyres & Accessories recently attended Continental’s annual media briefing, we expected to hear details of the previous year’s market statistics and product trends. However T&A got more than we bargained for when Continental UK commercial tyre business director, Arthur Gregg, revealed that the company is relaunching its ContiNetwork commercial vehicle retail business in February and will spend the next few years completely refreshing its product line-up.

Full details will be published when the official relaunch takes place in February, but here is a rough outline: Continental are aiming to give their dealers a more equitable system, whereby each company will have increased freedom to choose how much fleet business they commit to. Executives recognise that large amounts of fleet business suits some dealers better than others. In addition, Continental will unveil a new “dealer charter” (not a contract), which aims to improve two-way communications. In a related move T&A learnt that a new fleet manager for the Northern region will join the company this month.