Press Release
Continental HD HYBRID: Premium technology for
varied applications in goods transport
Hanover / Essen, June 2010: The new Continental HD Hybrid was developed for purely
economic reasons. It is ideally suited to long-distance applications with long rolling
stretches and also to regional transport on varied road surfaces. Thanks to the new
tread technology with combined rib/block structure, it guarantees maximum traction
with further improved economy.
The all-new hybrid design tread qualifies the new tire for a particularly wide range of applications — from motorway usage on international long-distance routes to “all-round” usage on
greatly varied road surfaces. The universal application of Continental’s new high-tech tire
logically complements the two second-generation tire ranges that were introduced last year
for highly economic long-distance assignments (L range) and for varied tasks in regional and
distribution transport (R range).
The multi-faceted character of the HD HYBRID was made possible by its innovative tread
design with mixed rib/block tread. The longitudinal groove design for optimized rolling resistance with considerably more tread depth for particularly long life guarantees low consumption. Two groove/sipe systems, which were specially developed for the HD HYBRID,
guarantee the same proportion of sipes and grooves over the complete usage life of the tire.
When the tire reaches the halfway point of its life, the innovative 3D sipe technology turns the
sipes into grooves that extend to the bottom of the tread. In addition, a tread structure
shaped as a groove when the tire is new becomes a jagged sipe halfway down the tread.
The tire therefore changes its face over the course of its life, but retains its traction and always has a low rolling resistance.
This technology guarantees constantly high traction on ice and snow and optimum performance in the wet from the first to the last mile of use. The design oriented to low rolling resistance puts the HD HYBRID in the top position in terms of economy.
Of course, the latest member of the current Continental tire range is also based on the new
2nd generation casing technology. The four plies of the triangular belt absorb the lateral and
radial forces at the tire base and reduce the proper movement of the tire together with the
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-2tread that is closed on the outside. The considerably larger air volume in all models from the
new 2nd tire generation increases the durability and mileage of the tire significantly. The
steel cord bead has been re-designed for a particularly stable seat on the wheel rim and accordingly less movement on the rim flange. Of course, the new HD HYBRID also features the
patented AirKeep® technology that reduces gradual loss of inflation pressure considerably
thanks to a special inner layer with a tightly packed molecular structure.
The demand for more economy due to growing cost pressure in European road freight
transport does not just stop with truck-trailers that were previously exclusively used in longdistance transport — combined transport assignments are increasingly on the agenda. Furthermore the new type of tire plays an important role in nationwide distribution traffic, which
places particularly high demands on modern truck tires due to its varied application areas.
“Continental is creating more economy and flexibility for our customers with the new HD HYBRID,” says Hartwig Kühn, Continental product manager for commercial vehicle tires.
Thanks to the versatile properties of the new HD HYBRID, Continental, who are the leading
commercial vehicle tire manufacturer, have provided the timely answer to the changed conditions in road transport.
The new Continental HD HYBRID is available in the sizes 295/60R22.5, 315/60R22.5,
315/70R22.5, 295/80R22.5 and 315/80R22.5.
Continental’s Commercial Vehicle Tires Division is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of premium truck, bus and industrial tires with a workforce of around 8,000 and a turnover of €1.1bn. The division makes a noticeable contribution to reducing costs in goods and passenger transport with tailormade products ranging from fleet services to fuel-saving, environmentally-friendly commercial vehicle
tires. All new tires provide convincing proof of the division’s research and development expertise. The
new products are characterized by low rolling resistance, high mileages and a high level of safety.
Their retreadability extends their life and relieves the burden on your budget. The European brands
are Continental, Uniroyal, Semperit, Barum and Matador. Conti360° is a European fleet service that
guarantees mobility with its extensive, quick-reacting network of service partners.
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-3With sales of approximately €20 billion in 2009 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 elastomers, Continental
contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent
partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately
138,000 in 46 countries.
Contact for journalists:
Udo Brandes
Head of Press and PR I Division Commercial
Vehicle Tires
Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Büttnerstrasse 25
D-30165 Hanover
Phone: +49 511 938-2923
Fax: +49 511 938-2496
E-mail: udo.brandes@conti.de
Online media database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com