The Fiat 500 is making its comeback on Continental tyres. The Italian vehicle manufacturer has given the Original Equipment approval for all tyres sizes - 14", 15" and 16" - for the new model.

The largest proportion of tyres to be supplied by Continental will be in the size 165/65R14 T. Roberto Zazzara, who is responsible for the Original Equipment tyres which Continental delivers to Fiat, explains: "We supply Fiat with the ContiEcoContact 3, a tyre that offers low rolling resistance and thus reduced fuel consumption, and we are Fiat's sole supplier for this size." In terms of 15" and 16" tyres, Continental is equally well-represented with its ContiPremiumContact 2, which also offers very low rolling resistance.

Thanks to its wide product range, Continental is able to meet the vehicle manufacturer's many different requirements. In this context, the ContiEcoContact 3 is more for small and compact cars, whilst the ContiPremiumContact 2 is a good choice for medium range to luxury cars. Both models have been designed to ensure short braking distances on wet and dry roads, good lateral guidance and comfortable driving characteristics, combined with low rolling resistance.

Continental Corporation

Formed in Hanover in 1871, the Continental Corporation is today one of the world’s leading automotive industry suppliers with extensive expertise in rubber, tire and brake technology, driving dynamics control, electronics, sensor systems, and telematics. As a leading automotive industry technology partner, Continental develops and produces high-quality components, modules and systems. Development centres and production facilities are located where customers operate - worldwide. Activities focus on innovations for enhancing safety, developing eco-friendly mobility, and enhancing comfort and convenience on the road. The ContiTech division is also active in the rail and printing industries as well as mining and the construction of machinery.

Continental is Europe’s second-largest automotive supplier. The Company is divided into four divisions: Automotive Systems, Passenger and Light Truck Tires, Commercial Vehicle Tires and ContiTech. It employs 85,224 worldwide (as of December 31, 2006) at over 100 production locations, research centers and test tracks in 37 countries.
 

Automotive Systems Division

With systems, components, and development expertise for comprehensive driving safety, comfort, chassis, powertrain technology, as well as telematics and communications solutions, the Automotive Systems division specializes in networking active and passive safety, developing electric drives, and providing sophisticated body electronics for intelligent and sustainable mobility. Continental AG acquired the automotive electronics business from Motorola in July 2006. The acquisition comprises operations in the growing fields of controls, sensors, and interior electronics, as well as telematics. In October, we acquired VTI Technologies Oy’s automotive sensor modules business. This Finnish company specializes in developing micromechanical acceleration and pressure sensors.

The Automotive Systems division employs 30,198 staff (as of December 31, 2006). The division has production facilities at 36 locations in 17 countries and is divided into seven business units: Electronic Brake and Safety Systems, such as ESC, ABS, driver assist systems; Hydraulic Brake Systems, such as brake boosters, hoses, calipers; Chassis & Powertrain, e.g. air suspension systems, chassis control systems ; Telematics, e.g. communication systems based on wireless technologies; Electric Drives, such as hybrid drives, electric motors; Body & Security, e.g. in-vehicle networking; Aftermarket, e.g. wearing parts, hydraulic parts, ABS sensors.

The product range extends from electronic brake systems through driver assist and telematics systems, to environmentally friendly hybrid drives. The technological success story comprises products with a strong market position like ESC, control units for double clutch transmission, and safety-related communications solutions. Automotive Systems is number one in the world for foundation brakes and number two for electronic brake systems and brake boosters. The division supplies almost all automakers worldwide, generating around 96% of its sales in 2006 directly from vehicle producers and 4% from the replacement business.