Press Release
New WinterContact TS 860 is “Germany’s most
experienced winter specialist”
 New winter tire for compact and mid-range models is a genuine all-rounder on dry, wet
and wintry, icy and snow-covered roads
Hanover, Germany / Levi, Finland, December 2015. With the new WinterContact TS 860,
Continental presents its successor to the highly successful ContiWinterContact TS 850.
Designed for use in Central and Western Europe, the tire will be available in retail outlets
from fall 2016. Initially there will be 36 items in 21 sizes for 14 to 17-inch rims, with a further
20-plus models scheduled to join the range in 2017. So this new winter tire for compact and
mid-range models is set to gradually replace the outstanding ContiWinterContact TS 850.
Over the past four years, the ContiWinterContact TS 850 has proved best-in-test in 47
product comparisons run by the European trade press, automobile clubs and consumer
organizations, making it the most successful Continental winter tire to date.
Winter tires from technology-leading premium manufacturers like Continental are genuine allrounders, because they have to be able to deliver grip reliably on dry, wet, icy and snowcovered roads. Winters in Central Europe are mainly cold and wet, with ten rainy days per
month expected between October and March. With temperatures hovering around zero, that
of course means an elevated risk of black ice – and indeed, one accident in four involving
injuries is caused by slippery roads. That’s why the specifications for the new WinterContact
TS 860 were focused on delivering maximum safety on wet and icy surfaces in particular.
Looking at the tire market for compact and mid-range models, Continental sees good
prospects for its new winter tire. While demand for 14-inch tires is falling and the European
market for 15-inch models has reached a plateau at around 20 million units, Continental is
expecting to see demand for 16 and 17-inch tires continue to rise over the next few years.
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Continental AG
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable
partner, the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides
sustainable, safe, comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated
preliminary sales of approximately €34.5 billion with its five divisions, Tires, Chassis & Safety, Interior,
Powertrain, and ContiTech. Continental currently employs more than 208,000 people in 53 countries.
www.continental-corporation.de
Tire Division
The Tire Division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product
range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically
efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers with more than 47,000 employees, the
Tire Division achieved sales of €9.8 billion in 2014.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger and light truck tires in Europe and the
world's fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market.
The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant
characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-reifen.de
Media Database
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
Contact:
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of Communications and PR, Passenger and Light
Truck Tires
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2615
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
alexander.bahlmann@conti.de
www.continental-reifen.de
Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman, PLT/Two-Wheel Tires, Germany,
Austria & Switzerland,
Communications and PR, Passenger and Light Truck
Tires
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
klaus.engelhart@conti.de