Press Release
Gute Fahrt
Herr
Bernd
Weiser
-1Hohewartstraße
Continental Executives Awarded 66the “Honorary
70469
Citizenship” in Hefei
StuttgartPressemit
Hefei, China, August 24, 2012. Mr. Burkhardt Koeller, Executiveteilung
Vice President Finance and
Controlling Continental Tire Division and Dr. Tobias Kerle, General Manager of Continental
Tires plant Hefei were awarded with the “Honorary Citizenship” of the Hefei city. The
“Honorary Citizenship” is one of the highest recognitions of the Hefei Municipal Government.
This is an official award for their great contribution and the long-term commitment of the
Continental Tire Division to the economic development of the Hefei city. Mr. Wu Cunrong,
Secretary of Hefei Municipal Party Committee, presented the award to Mr. Burkhardt Koeller
and Dr. Tobias Kerle.
Set up by the Hefei Government in 2002, the “Honorary Citizenship” is presented only to
those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Hefei’s social and economic
development. “I am honored and take this award as recognition of Continental’s intensified
efforts in contributing to the development of Hefei”, said Mr. Burkhardt Koeller when receiving
the award. “This award represents for me and all employees in Hefei a further motivation and
responsibility to further cooperate closely with the Hefei Government and to continue our
long-term commitment to the development of the city, which is one of the key locations of
Continental’s Tire Division in China”.
“The four years of my career in Hefei might only be a split of second in the history of the city,
but this has been enough to make a great difference in my professional, as well as private
life”, said Dr. Tobias Kerle expressing his <thank you> to the Government upon receiving the
award. “This recognition will be a new drive for me and Continental to continue working side
by side with the authorities and inhabitants of Hefei for a successful future of this great city”,
added Kerle.
Mr. Burkhardt Koeller and Dr. Tobias Kerle have paid great attention to the development of
the company in terms of management, innovation and cooperation with local partners. Based
on their strong support, Continental expanded its global tire network with the opening of its
first Greenfield tire plant in Hefei in 2011. The tire factory has recently started the second
-2expansion phase with an investment volume of around Euro 134.000 million and an
additional production capacity of four million tires. The passenger and light truck tire plant in
Hefei reached total investments of around Euro 300.000 million and it employs currently 750.
The Continental Tire Hefei responds to the strong demand for tires in China, as well as the
Asian export market. In July, as recognition for its outstanding environmental management,
the Environmental Protection Fund of the Central Government of China awarded the tire
plant with a special price.
Today nearly every second car worldwide is manufactured in Asia, with China being the
growth leader. Continental is targeting to achieve over-proportional growth in China and has
expanded its presence in 18 production locations, 15 sales offices, representing a workforce
of approximately 16,000 in the country.
Continental Corporation
With sales of €30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation,
infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomer products, Continental
contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert
partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 164,000
employees in 46 countries.
www.continental-corporation.com
Tire Division
The Tire division includes the Passenger and Light Truck, the Commercial Vehicle Tire and the
Industrial Tire business units, as well as the Two-Wheel Tire activities. As one of the world’s leading
tire manufacturers with more than 41,000 employees, the division achieved cumulative sales of more
than €8.8 billion in 2011. The Tire division currently has 22 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.
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
Sponsorship
Continental’s Tire Division is an Official Sponsor of the German DFB Cup, the UEFA EURO 2012 TM in
Poland and the Ukraine, and the 2014 FIFA World CupTM in Brazil.
www.ContiSoccerWorld.de
Media Contact:
-3Alexander Bahlmann
Head of Media & Public Relations
Ildiko Kovacs
Locations Communications Manager
Continental
Division Tires
Continental
Division Tires
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Buettnerstraße 25
30165 Hanover, Germany
Phone: +49 511 938-2615
Fax: +49 511 938-2455
Email: alexander.bahlmann@conti.de
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Buettnerstraße 25
30165 Hanover, Germany
Phone: +49 511 938-2122
Fax: +49 511 938-2455
E-Mail: ildiko.kovacs@conti.de