Continental Increases its European OE Market Share

During 2008, Continental’s market share of the European original equipment market is said to have increased from 30 per cent to over 32 per cent. In contrast to this growth, the company reports it “sacrificed” some of its “unprofitable business” in the NAFTA states and South America, reducing its market share to 14 per cent – as planned. In total, Continental sold almost 40 million original equipment passenger and light truck tyres last year. The German company is anticipating fewer sales to vehicle manufacturers in 2009 and expects the market will pick up again in the fourth quarter. At the same time, Conti reports it will continue to focus on profitable deals in NAFTA countries. Supplies to Asian car manufacturers, which last year accounted for 0.7 million tyres, are forecast to remain fundamentally unchanged.

Despite the current downturn in vehicle sales, Conti states that the original equipment market remains an important aspect of its business. According to Karlheinz Evertz, global OE business manager for passenger and light truck tyres, Continental has withdrawn from unprofitable contracts with vehicle manufacturers in NAFTA countries and now has a market share in this region of over 14 per cent, with a volume of 8.7 million tyres.

This year, Continental says it aims to maintain its strong presence in both the OE and replacement market. With its multi-brand strategy, the company believes itself in a good position to achieve this. Whilst its main Continental brand is popular throughout the world both as original equipment and on the premium replacement market, the brands Uniroyal, Semperit, Barum, General Tire, Gislaved, Viking, Matador, Euzkadi and Mabor satisfy various requirements for quality and budget tyres in different regions. Worldwide, Continental sold approximately 110 million passenger and light truck tyres last year, and is the largest European tyre manufacturer.