Continental

Few tyre manufacturers can boast the history of Continental. From its origins in the manufacture of carriage hoops, Continental has come an admirable way to become one of the most important tyre manufacturers in the world.

About Continental AG

Today, the company operates in 46 countries and employs 150,000 people, including 12,000 in production plants across the Czech Republic, and with a turnover of around €25 billion a year, it is one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. Thanks to innovations in the fields of braking systems, automotive chassis, automotive electronics and, of course, tyres, the company is helping to improve road safety and mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

History

The public limited company officially registered as Continental-Caoutchouc-und Gutta-Percha Compagnie was founded on 8. October 1871 in Hanover. An unbridled horse was chosen as the brand logo, which also suggests the content of Continental's production at the time. The first products the company produced were rubber hoops for cars and shock absorbers for horseshoes. A major milestone for the company came in 1892, when Continental became the first company to produce bicycle tyres. From this year onwards, production began to focus mainly on tyres. In 1921, the company launched steel cord reinforced tyres, which gradually replaced all-rubber tyres. Three years later, Continental launched the low-pressure balloon tyre, which provided greater comfort. It is therefore not surprising that by the 1930s Continental represented 90% of the tyre market volume. In 1943, the company patented the first tubeless tyre. In the 1950s, Continental launched the first winter truck tyres, laying the foundation for the company's leading position in the truck tyre market. At the end of the last century, the orientation towards the international market began, starting with the acquisition of Uniroyal in 1979. In the following years, Semperit Reifen GmbH, General Tire and Matador also became part of the Group. In August 2009, all activities in Germany were transferred to Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH.

Activities

Continental has also been frequently involved in automotive electronics recently. In an effort to improve road safety, it produces a number of braking, chassis and drive systems. It is also currently involved in research in the field of electric vehicles and is working with General Motors on batteries for electric vehicles. Continental also contributed to the Chevrolet Volt, one of the first and the most famous production electric cars.