Press Release
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High Fitment Rate at Geneva Motor Show Testament
to Original Equipment Tire Expertise

Continental's OEM share in Europe over 30%

Continental’s share of European original equipment market over 30 percent

Many tires made to original equipment specifications also available on the
aftermarket

Automakers can choose from a wide range of tire options
Hanover, March 2015. 2014 was a very good year for Continental as a supplier of original
equipment tires to vehicle manufacturers, with sales to both European and Asian automakers
contributing to the positive outcome. In Europe, Continental obtained additional approvals
from manufacturers across almost all vehicle categories, from sub-compact cars to luxury
limousines. At the same time, new deals were concluded in Asia, not least with local Chinese
manufacturers – a first for Continental. The tire specialist from Hanover offers a wide range
of options for original equipment tires and can develop matching solutions for almost any
vehicle concept.
In addition to the long list of approvals among vehicle manufacturers, the high fitment
rate for display vehicles at the Geneva Motor Show is testament to the popularity of
Continental tires: Continental tires were to be seen on the display vehicles of almost
all European manufacturers. Even the tires on the highly acclaimed new arrivals in
the sector, such as the Audi R8 e-tron, the A3 e-tron, the Mercedes V-class hybrid,
and the VW Golf hybrid, came from the Development department in Hanover.
Same story on the luxury sedans from Rolls Royce, the off-road specialists from Land
Rover, and the e-cars from Tesla. Less spectacular passenger cars were also fitted
with Continental tires – Opel's new cars in the small and compact class, vehicles
from Peugeot and Renault, including the new SUV Kadjar, and the new Superb from
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Your contact
Klaus Engelhart, Phone: + 49 (0) 511 938 2285
Press Release
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Skoda. In addition to the European companies, visitors interested in tires also found
Continental tires in use by Asian manufacturers. For example, Hyundai put the new ix
20 and Suzuki the S-Cross on tires marked with the horse.
Traditional position of strength with European manufacturers
For many years now, Continental has maintained a strong presence among European
manufacturers. “We have cornered over one third of the original equipment market here,”
says Karlheinz Evertz, who heads up worldwide original equipment activities for passenger
and light truck tires. “But that doesn’t mean we can meet every customer requirement almost
without trying. On the contrary, developing the tires for the various types of vehicle is
invariably a major challenge that calls for every effort from our engineers.” As well as
shipping original equipment tires to automakers, Continental also supplies the aftermarket,
be it through car dealerships or through the tire trade. Many of the premium manufacturers
have additional letters or symbols added to the sidewall of tires that they have approved.
Continental’s products proved a success with the US automakers, too. Here the company
meets around one sixth of the demand for original equipment tires and, given the current
buoyancy of new car sales in the US, Evertz can see “additional potential here for
Continental.” Success stories from Asia are another positive development for the Hanoverbased company. Here, Continental now supplies not only Japanese and Korean automakers,
but Chinese manufacturers as well. Most of these products are manufactured at the
Continental plant in Hefei, China. By producing ‘in the market for the market’, the company
eliminates the expensive and complex business of transporting tires to China from Europe or
the US. “We are aiming to grow our business in Asia one step at a time,” explains Evertz.
“We see attractive growth potential here too.”
Automakers demand differentiated solutions
Recent years have brought an ongoing rise in automakers’ expectations of their tire
manufacturers. “Where once, safety, handling, comfort, and mileage were the only things
that counted, today low rolling resistance, puncture resistance, very low noise generation,
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and adaptation to powertrain and engine concepts have also come to the fore,” says Evertz.
This led, for instance, to Continental developing ContiSeal technology for one major vehicle
manufacturer, a system that enables the tire to automatically reseal smaller punctures in the
tread. Several other manufacturers put their trust in ContiSilent technology, where a special
material inside the tire ensures low noise levels in the vehicle interior. Increasingly, the
manufacturers are calling for easily identifiable marking of these special tires. Audi, for
example, has its tires marked AO (Audi Original), while BMW tires feature a star, and
Mercedes tires bear the letters MO. Looking ahead, Evertz is expecting this trend to
continue: “After all, for the manufacturers these markings are a means of profiling their own
brand in the tire sector too, as well as indicating the various performance characteristics.”
Evertz goes on to note, however, that “normal” car tires for the aftermarket are as suitable as
ever for universal use with the highest safety standards. The car driver, he says, cannot
really tell the difference between replacement tires and original equipment.
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, Chassis & Safety, Interior,
Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental employs approximately 190,000 people in 49 countries.
www.continental-corporation.com
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 44,000
employees, the Tire Division achieved sales of €9.6 billion in 2013.
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-tires.com
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Press Release
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Sponsorship
Continental's Tire division is an official sponsor of the German DFB Cup, Major League Soccer in the
US and Canada, the 2015 Asia Cup in Australia and UEFA EURO 2016TM in France.
www.ContiSoccerWorld.com
Media Database
www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
Contact:
Alexander Bahlmann
Head of 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-tires.com
Your contact
Klaus Engelhart, Phone: + 49 (0) 511 938 2285
Klaus Engelhart
Press Spokesman, Passenger and Light Truck/TwoWheel Tires
Germany/Austria/Switzerland
Continental AG
Tire division
Büttnerstrasse 25, 30165 Hanover, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 511 938 2285
Fax:
+49 (0) 511 938 2455
klaus.engelhart@conti.de