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.”
The best-selling tyre size in the UK is still 205/55 R16 and this is the dimension Auto Express selected for its summer 2023 tyre test. In association with Blackcircles.com, tyre tester Kim Adams and the Auto Express team headed to the Contidrom proving ground in Germany and compared the performance of 11 brands of tyre.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas (MLA) has named Continental as the winner of its prestigious “Vendor of the Year” award for the third consecutive year. The award recognizes “the outstanding commitment and operational support” demonstrated by Continental through MLA’s original equipment aftermarket program, Rapidparts, in the material handling sector.
Continental’s half-year report shows that its Tires group sector is driving earnings, with 88 per cent of adjusted EBIT from tyre sales. “Despite difficult market conditions, our Tires group sector ended the second quarter with good earnings once again. ContiTech’s performance remained solid. Earnings in Automotive, however, fell short of expectations. Here we will need to make up considerable ground in the second half of the year. By doing so, we will also improve our consolidated margin,” commented Continental CEO Nikolai Setzer.
Continental didn’t receive very much for its tyre factory in Russia, and S8 Capital is now one of the country’s top-three tyre makers. The investment company has four tyre brands in its portfolio at the moment, and additional, renamed brands will join these by the end of this year.
Creating a tyre tread by hand may seem old fashioned, but even the largest manufacturers rely upon skilled carvers when developing new patterns. We visited Continental in Germany to see how this is done and to learn why automation hasn’t consigned carving to the history books.
It’s shaping up to be a cardie and umbrella kind of summer, but Continental has some helpful tyre tips should the sun show up again. It points out that high temperatures can damage car tyres, and motorists should thus make sure they check inflation pressures.
Continental has begun volume production of its “most sustainable series tyre to date” at its plant in Lousado, Portugal. The Continental UltraContact NXT contains up to 65 per cent renewable, recycled and mass balance certified materials, and at the same time achieves an EU tyre label AAA rating with the best possible values for wet grip, rolling resistance and exterior noise.
Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) has appointed Olaf Kreis as plant manager at its Gqeberha facility, the German company’s only tyre manufacturing plant in Africa. Conti says that Kreis brings a wealth of automotive industry experience and a people-centric leadership style to his role. He has an extensive 32-year background in the industry, including 20 years at GM and 12 years at Continental.
As of 1 July 2023, Stephan Brückner is responsible for Kumho Tire’s original equipment business with all German vehicle manufacturers as Senior Sales Account Manager. He joins Kumho from Hankook Tire Europe, where he most recently served as OE Account Manager.
Testing of new tyre designs typically takes place at multiple proving grounds, with locations such as Finland or New Zealand tasked with all-season and winter testing. But fickle weather and human factors conspire to diminish the accuracy and repeatability of outside testing. Better to take the weather indoors and automate the process – which is precisely what Continental has done.
The most powerful car in the Brabus line-up will wear Continental tyres. The tuning firm has selected the Continental SportContact 7 as exclusive fitment for the Brabus 930 and will fit the tyre in size 275/35 ZR 21 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 on the rear wheels.
Continental has published preliminary figures for Q2 2023, reporting that it anticipates sales within its Tires group sector of approximately 3.5 billion euros, a figure in line with the analyst consensus compiled by the company as of 12 July. The company expects adjusted EBIT margin of around 13.7%.
Continental’s Tires Group Sector has completely redesigned its global and country-specific websites. The international site can be accessed at www.continental-tires.com while UK-based readers can reach the local site directly via www.continental-tyres.co.uk.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Continental Tires portfolio of solutions for fleet management in the passenger car, bus, van and truck segments can now download information on the subject.
Next month, the Steinexpo raw materials and building materials industry trade fair returns after a long absence. Around 400 brands are expected to be present at the show in Germany from 23 to 26 August, including a number of familiar names.
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