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Varta and Manbat: preparing for a Start-Stop future

Mainstream media tends to pass over Start-Stop technology and instead focuses on plug-in electric or concept cars, yet despite this dearth of attention vehicle manufacturers continue to quietly go about their business and introduce ever more micro hybrids – Start-Stop vehicles – into their model ranges. This technology is admittedly only one of a number of powertrain alternatives under development, yet micro hybrids have gained considerable favour due to the ability of Start-Stop technology to cost effectively achieve EU emission targets while still providing motorists with vehicle range and usability.

20th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti enters lithium-ion battery partnership

Continental has announced it is partnering with lithium-ion battery specialist Akasol Engineering in order to develop the next generation of lithium-ion technology for electric vehicles. The two German companies’ work centres on a scalable battery concept that allows for modular expansion to accommodate vehicles of varying size. The batteries under development will also utilise a fluid cooling system that uniformly cools all parts of the unit, an action that enhances battery performance, vehicle range and service life.

19th September 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

EU funded ‘OpEneR’ project to increase electric vehicle efficiency

Two shortcomings of today’s crop of fully electric vehicles (FEV) are their limited driving range and long charging time – for the majority of motorists this pair of factors outweighs the host of environmental and cost benefits such vehicles offer. Key culprits behind these limitations are vehicle batteries, however improving battery technology alone is no panacea. To unlock the FEV market and reduce “range anxiety”, several leading automotive industry firms have partnered in a European Union co-funded project aimed at optimising how the power provided by existing battery technology is utilised.

7th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti expanding Russian automotive business

Just days after announcing plans to erect a greenfield tyre plant in Kaluga, Russia, Continental has revealed plans to expand production facilities at its automotive electronics plant there. The signing of an investment agreement between Continental and the governor of the Kaluga on July 5 coincided with the renaming of its local operation from AVTEL to Continental Automotive Systems Rus. Conti’s existing operation in Kaluga will be upgraded at a cost of more than 6 million euros. This investment will crate more than 120 new jobs cover the cost of a new production line; in addition to engine control units, which will account for the majority of production, the Kaluga site will also manufacture components for use in fuel supply and injection systems.

6th July 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Federal-Mogul introduces coated brake disc range designed for alloy wheels

Michigan’s Federal-Mogul, a global supplier of powertrain, chassis and safety technologies, has introduced a new range of brake discs designed specifically for use on vehicles with alloy wheels. The Ferodo brakes product range now includes the new Ferodo Coat Plus premium coated brake discs and is available immediately through distributors. “The benefits of Ferodo Coat Plus discs extend beyond an attractive appearance; each disc is engineered to provide superior braking performance, without noise or vibration,” said Mario Garelli, Federal-Mogul braking products manager, EMEA.

7th April 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

CV market experiencing ‘invasion’ of low cost trucks

The global commercial vehicle market is experiencing a “growing invasion of “low-cost trucks”, according to analysts from Frost & Sullivan. These trucks, mostly from Asian OEMs, are priced approximately 20-25 per cent lower than conventional trucks and are penetrating markets all over the world. In response the analysts are holding a free “European Threats and Opportunities” web conference on 22 February 2011 at 15:00 BST hosted by research analyst, Ryan Carmichael.

16th February 2011/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Opens China Automotive Components Plant

According to Jay Kunkel, president of Continental’s Asia region, the German tyre and automotive component supplier intends to have sales within Asia account for 25 per cent of the company’s global total by 2013. Growth in the key market of China and throughout the region is already occurring and in response the company has established a new facility for the production of electronic brake and powertrain systems and interior electronics products.

9th December 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti “Well on its Way” with H1 Results

In the words of Continental AG’s Executive Board chairman Dr. Elmar Degenhart, the German tyre and automotive systems manufacturer “is well on its way to emerging from the crisis stronger than before.” In particular, the company’s EBIT has developed positively and the EBIT margin exceeded pre-crisis levels during the first half of 2010. “This is also however obvious from our balance sheet, which we have improved substantially since the beginning of the year with the capital increase and the equally successful placement of an initial bond, as announced,” Degenhart added. “With this basis, we are tackling the upcoming tasks brimming with confidence.”

29th July 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Opens New Romania R&D Centre

On December 3, a year and a week after its foundation stone was laid, Continental inaugurated a new office building for its Automotive Group R&D centre employees in the Romanian city of Iasi. The 9,000 square metre premises was erected at a cost of around 20 million euros, and will host the research and engineering brains behind all three of the Automotive Group’s divisions: Chassis & Safety, Powertrain, and Interior. Development activities at the new site will range from electronic brake systems and chassis components to hybrid electric drives and body and security as well as infotainment. In total, approximately 450 people are currently employed at the site.

4th December 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Reitzle Takes on Conti Supervisory Board Chairmanship

Although confirmed as the man for the job in September, the tenure of Prof. Dr. Ing. Wolfgang Reitzle as chairman of Continental AG’s Supervisory Board became official as of October 19 after his election during the day’s meeting. The Supervisory Board also made two other appointments during the October 19 meeting: Wolfgang Schäfer was confirmed as a regular member of the Continental AG Executive Board. He will take up his appointment on January 1, 2010, and will be responsible for the areas of finance, controlling, IT and law. Also assuming his position on the board next January 1 is José A. Avila, who is taking over as head of the Powertrain division.

20th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

New Conti CFO Named

A new chief financial officer will start his duties at Continental AG on October 19. Wolfgang Schäfer, According to sources mentioned by Reuters, the Finance and Administration CEO at competitor Behr will officially take on the role at Conti’s next supervisory board meeting.

9th October 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti to Close Alabama Plant

Continental AG plans to close its powertrain and interior components plant in Huntsville, Alabama, by the end of 2010.

1st September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Reshuffles Executive Board

Following a meeting of the Supervisory Board of Continental, the company’s Executive Board has been reshuffled. Effective immediately, the Supervisory Board appointed Dr. Elmar Degenhart, formerly president of the Schaeffler Group’s Automotive Division, as chairman of the Executive Board.

13th August 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Continental Executive Board Announces Reorganisation

Executive Board of Continental AG says it has opened up broader future options for itself by reorganising the duties of its members to greater concentrate on two core business fields. As of October 1, 2008, Continental Executive Board chairman Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann will take the reins of the Automotive group, consisting of the Chassis & Safety, Interior and Powertrain divisions. On the same day, deputy chairman Dr. Alan Hippe will take on management of the Rubber group, made up of the Passenger and Light Truck Tires, Commercial Vehicle Tires and ContiTech. Conti’s Supervisory Board of the company took assenting note of this new task allocation as decided by the Executive Board on September 30. The Supervisory Board also extended Executive Board member Dr. Hans-Joachim Nikolin’s term of office until May 2014.

1st October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Conti Opens Second Facility in Calamba, Philippines

A second manufacturing site belonging to Continental AG has been opened in Calamba, the Philippines. The factory, inaugurated September 25, produces inertial, speed, and advanced sensors, chassis components, passive safety and ADAS components for the company’s Chassis & Safety Division as well as ECUs, transmission controllers, sensors and actuators for the Powertrain Division. This event reflects Continental’s strategy to build and strengthen the network and manufacturing operations in Asia, where the company intends to make between 20 and 25 per cent of its total sales in this region by 2015.

26th September 2008/by Tyrepress Editors