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 says it has expanded its research and development centre in Hanover-Stöcken and installed a new facility that can inspect the insides of passenger car and commercial vehicle tyres more quickly and efficiently. The advantage offered by the LINAC (Linear Electronic Accumulation) computer tomography facility, says Conti, is that it enables internal tyre components to be tested under conditions that replicate on-road driving conditions.
Continental states that it tested around 500 truck and bus tyres in preparation for releasing its European label results on 1 July. The German tyre maker says it has now integrated all measured tyre data into the company’s existing internal and external SAP-supported computer systems and made it available to retailers. Unlike passenger car and van tyres, no physical label will be affixed to individual truck and bus tyres, however. Instead, Continental and its sales partners will list the data in the technical documents for the products, at points of sale, on the internet and on invoices.
Continental Tyres has introduced new visual alignment indicators (VAI) on two long distance truck tyre sizes; the first time such indicators have become available on truck tyres in Europe. The VAIs aim to show operators incorrect wheel alignment on trucks and trailers more easily and without the use of expensive electronic measuring systems. Conti says the system should help fleet operators to spot excessive positive or negative camber angles or too much toe-in or toe-out, all of which can decrease tyre life through uneven wear and increase fuel consumption. Early detection through a simple visual check can be carried out as part of a routine maintenance inspection.
Over 50 staff from Micheldever Tyre Services, led by CEO Paul Fox, took part in the British Heart Foundation London to Brighton cycle ride on Sunday 17th June and raised an impressive £15,000 for this important charity. All bar two of the Micheldever team made it successfully to the finish over the gruelling 55 mile course which starts at Clapham Common, South London, and finishes on Madeira Drive, Brighton, which eight miles after the demanding climb of Ditchling Beacon is a welcome relief. Whilst some of the riders were experienced racers others were novices on their first organised ride, which made it all the more notable.
High sales prices matched with lower input costs are combining to the benefit of tyre manufacturers. A report from Deutsche Bank analysts notes that, despite weak tyre volumes in the European replacement markets (-10 per cent in passenger tyres, -30 per cent in truck tyres) tyre companies are benefitting from a strong pricing effect (+4 per cent to +5 per cent) and from low raw material prices.
Germany’s Handelsblatt has reported Hankook’s “attack” on rival Continental. In an article published 22 June, the financial daily shares that the Korean tyre maker has been approved by Daimler for original equipment passenger car tyre supply, and it opines that Hankook is “increasingly proving itself an aggressive challenger to European market leader Continental.”
After studying 2,000 drivers, Continental Tyres drew the conclusion that half of all motorists no longer enjoy driving – and a key reason for this lack of love is the threat of road rage. The study also revealed that around 15 per cent of those surveyed – a number representing five million motorists – have got out of their car to confront another driver.
Conti is working to enhance the efficiency of the roadside breakdown service it provides to commercial vehicle operators and hauliers through its Conti360° fleet service network. The manufacturer reports the development of a series of bespoke roadside training courses for its Conti360° network partners, which it believes will help raise safety standards among tyre fitters and promote best practice in attending roadside breakdowns. The three levels of training course are designed to equip the Conti360° network with improved tyre fitting expertise and allow its partners to gain the industry-approved NTDA REACT Roadside Breakdown Licence, which is now mandatory for all NTDA members engaged in roadside maintenance or repairs.
While talk of the new tyre labelling rules remains a hot topic, Michelin has released data showing that its products last the longest. Of course treadwear isn’t mentioned on the new label, but Michelin’s long-term survey of a FN50 fleet recorded every tyre change mileage on its vehicles over the last six years for its most popular car, the Ford Focus. Interestingly the company has also reported the results of leading premium competitors Bridgestone, Continental and Pirelli.
June 6th marked a milestone for the BMW Group's UK engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, with the production of the factory's three millionth engine.
The power unit – a 1.6 four-cylinder petrol engine – will be despatched to the MINI plant at Oxford, destined for a car to be built for the emerging Indian market. MINI made its debut in the premium small car segment in India earlier this year marking MINIs 100th export market where three exclusive outlets are being established.
Over the last two years, Continental has introduced its fifth generation of tyres. Representing the high performance segment is most notably the ContiSportContact5 and ContiSportContact 5P. A third, recently introduced addition to Continental’s high performance range is the ContiForceContact. Tyres & Accessories spoke to Continental brand manager Peter Robb about the line-up.
At the festive opening ceremony of Reifen 2012 in the evening before the fair on 4 June, Peer Steinbrück, former Federal minister of Finance, addressed invited guests. When the fair opened, ex-Formula One driver Christian Danner demonstrated show fitting operations. Reifen and its sponsor, Bundesverband Reifenhandel und Vulkaniseur-Handwerk e.V. (BRV – "Federal Association of the Tyre Trade and the Vulcanisers' Skilled Trade"), said the special events would help to stress the significance of the tyre trade fair.
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Continental AG is investing in a hot retreading production plant in Western Europe, the company has announced. A statement explained that this decision aims to underline the “great importance of retreading business for Continental” and adds weight to its ContiLifeCycle concept. No details of the amount of investment have been released. The location of the new production site will be announced at a later date.
Continental’s top class football sponsorship includes the official sponsorship of UEFA Euro 2012. In its role as exclusive tyre partner the company will equip coaches transporting the players with its HSR2 premium tyre, while a specially configured HSU1 tyre will be fitted to forty fan buses in the four Polish host cities of Warsaw, Poznan, Gdansk and Wroclaw. The German tyre manufacturer will also supply service technicians through its Conti360° network to carry out daily tyre checks for the increased safety of players and supporters.
Major Continental shareholder Schaeffler AG has reported a “good start” to 2012. On announcing the company’s January to March results on 29 May, CEO Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger said “we have successfully continued our growth strategy during the first quarter of 2012 despite an increasingly challenging environment. With sales increasing by six per cent, our growth has again outpaced the market. We have managed to stabilise our profitability at a high level.”
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