Conti Considering Production Cutbacks

Production output at Continental AG will reportedly be reduced at the end of this year following cuts in production at most German vehicle manufacturers. According to Continental spokeswoman Antje Lewe, in the next few weeks the company will be “looking at each location individually” before deciding how long to curb production or at which facilities.

Lewe’s statement follows a report by German daily newspaper the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that Continental would consider ending temporary contracts, closing longer than scheduled over the Christmas holiday and shortening work hours. The shortened hours could last from a few days up to several weeks, said Lewe.

Vehicle manufacturers including Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen have all said in recent months that they are considering similar production cutbacks at the close of 2008.