Continental’s tyre division contributes 94.4 per cent to group EBIT
Following Continental’s mid-January preview of its key figures for the past financial year, the tyre and automotive supplier has officially released its 2022 full-year figures.
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.”
Following Continental’s mid-January preview of its key figures for the past financial year, the tyre and automotive supplier has officially released its 2022 full-year figures.
At the end of last year, it emerged that Continental is planning to introduce a new car tyre this year. Because both Continental’s WinterContact TS 870 and WinterContact TS 870 P are young in terms of product cycle, and because the SportContact 7 and PremiumContact 7 are also new on the block, the new tyre is likely to be a successor to the AllSeasonContact. And our eagle-eyed German colleagues have once again found evidence that supports this theory.
Continental has launched new software designed to support “fleet operators, dealers and service technicians in maximising the safety and efficiency of their tyres”. The new TireTech mobile app for truck and bus tyres, complements the existing version for agricultural tyres.
Tyre cord manufacturer Xingda and Continental Group recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement at Xingda Steel Tyre Cord (Thailand) Co. Ltd. Details of what is involved in the agreement remain to be seen at this stage, but Xingda representatives report that the cooperation includes improving the supplier management services in Europe.
Continental Tyres has become the Rugby Football Union (RFU), England men and Red Roses’ Official Partner. At the same time, Continental Tyres has also become the title sponsor of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup. The combined sponsorship package represents a “multi-year partnership”, according to the company.
More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for this weekend’s eagerly anticipated FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup Final, as the tyre manufacturer celebrates its 12th consecutive year sponsoring the flagship event.
Major German automotive components supplier Schaeffler Group, which like tyre and automotive systems firm Continental counts the Schaeffler family’s IHO Holding as a significant shareholder, is shunning investment at home and in Europe in favour of the USA. In addition to more advantageous energy prices, Schaeffler looks approvingly upon the USA’s more pragmatic approach to climate issues.
The new, full-electric Smart #1 is the first Smart model developed by the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese carmaker Geely. Launch photos released by Smart Europe last year let the Continental cat out of the tyre supply bag, and Continental has now confirmed worldwide supply for the SUV in 18” & 19” tyre sizes.
Full-year 2022 financial results show that – in terms of share price performance, at least – Japanese tyre manufacturers are leading the way on the global stage. Much has happened in the last five years, but five-year share price data is clear that the costs of chip shortages, shipping, dearer raw materials, pandemic and war have hit European and Western tyre brands harder than their Japanese counterparts. We compared the share performance of five of the largest European and Western tyre brands (namely: Michelin, Goodyear, Continental, Pirelli and Nokian) during the last five years with the leading Japanese-based tyre manufacturers (Bridgestone, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Yokohama and Toyo Tires) in order to gain an insight into their relative performance.
In 2020, Continental AG announced its goal of being carbon-neutral across the business by 2050. Also as of the 2020 fiscal year, Continental confirmed that it is procuring all of the electricity for its production sites around the world from renewable energy sources. Now, the German-based tyremaker is emphasising its goal of making tyres 100 per cent manufactured from sustainable materials by 2050.
ADAC has published the results of a golden anniversary tyre test in which it evaluates one product for each year since entering the tyre testing game. It looked at 205/55 R16 V – currently the most popular dimension. In readiness for the next 50 years and as a nod to the increasing significance of environmental & sustainability issues, the motoring organisation also overhauled its system of scoring.
Continental has launched its largest tractor tyre to date, the VF TractorMaster in size VF900/60R42. With a diameter of 214.7 centimetres, the tyre is larger than a door frame and weighs 450 kilogrammes. It has a load index of 189 (10,300 kilogrammes). Continental has developed the tyre size specifically to carry the weight of agricultural machinery producing more than 300 horsepower.
Amongst recently-announced changes to the Tire Industry Project (TIP) was the addition of Continental as a fourth co-chair. The company describes involvement in this capacity as “further emphasising its comprehensive commitment to sustainability.” Continental says it will contribute resources to TIP as well as its “long-term expertise in the areas of end-of-life tyres, sustainability assessment methods, and sustainable materials.”
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is available with Continental tyres as standard. Depending on model, Mercedes-Benz will equip all available drive types – petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid – with EcoContact 6 Q in 18” to 20” sizes.
Much has changed since 2005, the year the Tire Industry Project (TIP) was formed. To bring the TIP focus more in line with the zeitgeist and elevate its commitment to sustainability, the body has made changes to its organisational structure, including the addition of a fourth co-chair.
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