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.”
Continental Tyre Group has appointed Louise Franklin as its new Conti360° network manager. Franklin, 28, joins Continental with sales and marketing experience from her previous role as sales and marketing manager for Ardmore Language Schools.
A new poll conducted by Continental Tyres Jeremy Clarkson has topped a poll of the Brits motorist would least like to share a driving adventure with. The controversial motoring journalist and TV presenter was rated as the worst person to share a 4×4 drive across the Sahara Desert. Hot on Clarkson’s heels was Katie Price. Prime Minister David Cameron came a close third.
Continental’s van tyre range boasts the distinction of being fitted to one third of European manufactured vans as original equipment, and its three tyre models cover a range of driver applications in the light commercial sector, meeting passenger comfort and safety specifications. The range comprises the VanEco, designed to provide better economy through reduced rolling resistence; the Vanco 2, for improved longevity; the VancoWinter 2 for improved cold weather running; and the VancoContact 2, which strives for improved comfort through a passenger car-style tread pattern and construction.
Schaeffler AG, which currently controls what is effectively a 60 per cent stake in Conti, has announced plans for new credit worth around 8 billion euros. In addition to this refinancing, the company announced plans to issue 2 billion euros of bonds.
According to financial analysts at Morgan Stanley, this all comes around the same time as ratings agencies Stand & Poor’s and Moody's are planning to publish official credit ratings. And all follows Schaeffler’s decision to change its legal form into AG back in September 2011 in order to gain better access to capital markets.
The point-S organisation has made the headlines again. Following the dismissal of point S Germany’s managing director Jürgen Benz last December, a move that took many by surprise, point S France now appears to have interesting times ahead as it distances itself from the most important player in the nation’s tyre market: Michelin. French media sources report a “thunderclap in the tyre world,” in which point S in France has failed to reach a consensus with Michelin regarding terms and conditions for the coming year and as a result has excluded tyres sourced directly from the market leader from its range. Michelin reportedly accounted for at least 40 per cent of the point S operation in France’s total turnover, thus market observers view the organisation’s decision as quite a dangerous one. But where exactly lies the danger?
Continental Tire the Americas has announced a price increase on all of its replacement market commercial truck tyres, reports Tire Review. The increase of up to 9 per cent impacts Continental, General and AmeriSteel brand commercial truck tyres sold in the US, and will come into effect on 15 February.
Cambrian Tyres is a family-run business, and as such the company says it appreciates the importance of a friendly, customer-focused approach in supporting its dealer network. And with 220 years combined experience in the motorcycle and tyre industries – an unrivalled figure, says Cambrian – and with everyone from the managing director through all of the sales, purchase and marketing staff being regular riders, Cambrian states its customers can be assured of knowledgeable help and advice on sales and technical matters.
Continental has been awarded top spot in monthly car magazine, evo’s annual tyre test, published in its February edition. The evo performance tyre test, in its third year, measured such performance indicators as wet and dry handling, aquaplaning and braking using 225/40 R18 sized tyres on a range of high-end cars at MIRA. The magazine described Conti’s tyre as giving “an impressively complete performance”.
Continental has unveiled a new motorcycle tyre for the custom and cruiser sector, the ContiMilestone 2012 Mileage Plus. This new version of the ContiMilestone is said to offer a new for 2012 compound that, combined with deep tread, delivers even more mileage without compromising levels of grip; silicone technology has been used in the new compound, and Continental says this guarantees good wet grip without reducing mileage. Tread wear is also reduced through the tyre’s breaker construction – the tyre maker states that it ensures even pressure in the contact area.
Uniroyal has reacted to its RainExpert tyre being awarded “best buy” status by Which? Car in the November 2011 edition. Praised across several areas such as wet grip and dry braking, the RainExpert in size 175/65 R14T achieved an overall rating of 67 per cent with Which? commenting: “The RainExpert does exactly what it says on the tin, providing top-of-the-class wet grip, with five stars for grip on the straight and in bends.”
Only last week Continental announced plans to run a joint venture operation with Korea’s SK Innovation to develop, manufacture and market lithium ion batteries systems for electric vehicles; now the German company has released a few figures outlining why it sees so much potential in the electric vehicle market. As long as the price is right.
Continental has added two larger models to its range of premium commercial vehicle tyres with the introduction of new, larger steer and trailer products for volume-optimised transport operators. The HSR2 XL for front steer axle is designed for higher load capacities, while the second is the HTR2 trailer tyre in 55 cross-section for use on high volume vehicles.
Bridgestone Europe is to roll out a new round of price increases for retread materials across Europe during the first quarter of 2012. Starting on 1 March and varying from country to country, price increases will average 10 per cent for Bridgestone and Bandag pre-cure tread products and 8 per cent for Bandag cushion gum products.
AGCO has awarded its highest supplier rating to Mitas for deliveries of farm tyres from January to December 2011. The Mitas-produced brand Continental is a standard fitment in four out of six AGCO’s model series – for example Fendt 924-930 Vario. According to the company, AGCO evaluates its suppliers’ quality, logistics, customer service and protection of the environment, in all of which Mitas received the highest grade. Mitas has received the overall A award annually since acquiring production of Continental farm tyres in 2004.
Off-road tyre specialist, Mitas Tyres Limited – the UK distributor of Mitas tyres manufactured in Eastern Europe – has announced that it will give away copies of its new Tyre Pressure Management Guide as well as exhibiting examples from its three new tyre ranges at LAMMA 2012. The Mitas Tyre Pressure Guide highlights three steps to achieve optimal tyre pressures in the field and on the road. Mitas says the publication will help farmers to achieve significant financial savings by reducing fuel costs and wear-and-tear, whilst also improving performance.
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