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.”
Yesterday we reported the results of the Auto Motor und Sport summer 2019 tyre test and noted that while no tyre received the publication’s highest rating, most gained its recommendation. It’s a different story at sister title Sportauto – its test of eight tyres yielded a ‘highly recommended’ winner, but six of the candidates only received a lukewarm endorsement.
At a meeting on 14 March, the Supervisory Board of German tyre and automotive systems maker Continental approved the next stage of one of the largest organisational changes in its history. Several new appointments at Executive Board level were announced, including the transfer of Nikolai Setzer to the company’s Automotive Group.
Michelin has defended its title as the world’s most valuable tyre brand despite a 9 per cent decrease in brand value to US$7.2 billion, according to the latest report by leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy, Brand Finance.
Continental is planning to open a Middle East regional office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The joint venture project with the company’s previous distributor in Saudi Arabia, Almutlak Trade & Industries, will support growing demand for Continental’s products and services in the kingdom, according to the company.
As part of previously-announced structural changes, Continental has merged several of its replacement truck tyre functions in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The Conti360° Fleet Services business, which includes ContiPressureCheck and ContiConnect, has been brought together with the ContiLifeCycle business, comprising retreading and casing management services, to form the Fleet Solutions department. Ralf Benack is heading up this department as Director Fleet Solutions.
The ContiTrailAttack 3 has arrived in the UK motorcycle market, and Cambrian Tyres is confident this new addition will build upon the solid reputation of its predecessor. The Continental tyre is predominantly aimed at road going adventure motorcycles.
Continental has agreed to sponsor the Tour de France as one of the Tour’s five Main Partners – alongside LCL, E.Leclerc, Krys and Skoda. As a result of the deal, the Continental logo will appear on the arch above the finish line as well as on the “flamme rouge” arch, one kilometre from the finish. As a further benefit of the enhanced visibility, a representative of Continental will present the trophy to the stage winner on the podium.
Continental is offering drivers free all-season tyre demonstrations this February half term. The German tyre manufacturer will offer the free demonstrations at Mercedes-Benz World as Partner in Excellence, highlighting its award-winning range across each season and weather eventuality. Tests will also mark the first time its AllSeasonContact has been available for consumer experiences within the UK.
Conti360° Fleet Services has opened its newly rebranded suite of offices, at Bandvulc’s Lee Mill site, in Ivybridge. The extended office facilities have been launched after a two and-a-half year integration project following Continental’s acquisition of Bandvulc in 2016. The launch follows the merger of both company’s fleet support networks under the unified Conti360° Fleet Services banner in September 2018, and the relocation of all Conti360° Fleet Services support and 24-hour Breakdown Service teams to Ivybridge.
Continental is to sponsor the Extreme E off-road electric racing series. With sustainable electric SUVs and tyre technology from Continental, the new series takes participants to the most remote corners of the world. Extreme E organisers are anticipating 12 teams taking part in the inaugural season, slated to begin in exactly two years. Prototype testing is scheduled to start in April 2019 and Continental is initially a Founding Partner of Extreme E, becoming a Premium Partner in 2021. The technology company will equip all of the cars in the races with suitable tyres for the respective terrain.
Continental Tyre Group Ltd has brought the management and running of its Regional Distribution Centre in Rugby in-house, effective immediately.
Continental commissioned the first driverless tyre test vehicle for a wide range of road surface types at its Ulvade, Texas test track on 19 December 2018. The aim is to make the test results for Continental’s passenger and light truck tyres more conclusive and minimize the impact of the test procedure on the results. The new test vehicle is based on Continental’s automated Cruising Chauffeur, which was developed for freeways.
Continental has appointed Reinhard Klant as the new Earthmoving product line manager for Commercial Specialty Tires (CST).
General Tire unveiled a branded vehicle as part of the Autosport International show 2019 NASCAR stand in order to raise awareness of its partnership with NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
During the CES 2019 technology show in Las Vegas, Continental is exhibiting how a driverless vehicle could be paired with a robotic delivery hound. No it’s not 1 April, but do think “deliverwoof”.
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