Conti Preparing to Work with Integrated VDO

In the month following being granted consent to acquire the VDO Automotive division from Siemens, Continental AG has busied itself becoming acquainted with the new workforce and sharing its vision of VDO’s future within the company. According to Conti executive board chairman Manfred Wennemer, his company is interested in ensuring the larger Continental that emerges from the purchase of VDO can fully appreciate what the component manufacturer has to offer, and integrate this into Conti’s existing structure.

Wennemer has travelled to VDO’s production sites, including its headquarters in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, and has used these visits as an opportunity to reassure VDO workers that the company they work for will maintain its own identity. When the integration of VDO is complete Continental’s automotive parts division will be reorganised into three units; security-related parts, powertrain components, and information and entertainment systems. Wennemer indicates that at least one of these divisions will have their headquarters in Regensburg, and no distinction will be made between VDO and Continental employees when making personnel decisions.

“The Continental system will not necessarily win,” Wennemer said. “What will win is the best system and the best man for the job.”