In the Chassis & Safety division, we intend to integrate high-quality components in the area of brake systems, sensors and chassis to form a safety concept—called ContiGuard—that will make for zero crashes and injuries in the future. We are likewise well placed with respect to “zero emissions”, as envisioned for the future. We have, for instance, set standards with precise and highly-efficient piezo injection systems for diesel and gas engines, as well as with hybrid drive solutions or roll-resistance-optimized tires. In the Powertrain division we are determined to live up to our motto “Experience passion-driven mobility” by offering innovative products and system solutions that make diesel- and gas-engine vehicles more economical, reliable, powerful and eco-friendly.

—Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann

With sales of more than €25 billion (2006), the new Continental Corporation is now among the top five in the automotive supplier industry and is organized into six divisions:

• The new Chassis & Safety division (more than €5 billion in sales) offers brake and chassis systems, the networking of active and passive safety systems, and sensors.

• The new Powertrain division (more than €5 billion in sales) offers products and system solutions for powertrain, engine management, injection technology, sensors, actuators and hybrid technology.

• The new Interior division (more than €6 billion in sales) offers information management with systems that provide a link between the vehicle and the driver and passengers, between different vehicles, and between the vehicle and the infrastructure in which it operates.

• The Passenger and Light Truck Tires division (sales of close to €4.7 billion), a supplier of original equipment passenger car tires in the European market and the leading manufacturer of winter and tuning tires.

• The Commercial Vehicle Tires division (sales of close to €1.5 billion).

• The ContiTech division (sales of close to €2.9 billion), the world’s major manufacturer in the field of non-tire rubber and plastics technology.

Continental, in partnership with A123Systems, is one of the two development partners for the battery pack for GM’s Volt extended range electric vehicle. The company has also been providing mild hybrid drive systems in Europe since 2003.

Prototype hybrid drive unit.

Continental is at work on a future hybrid concept in which the electronics are directly arranged on the circumference of the electric machine to be mounted as a single component. The goals of such a design are to optimize for packaging, reduce costs due to simpler integration and assembly, and to provide better output due to higher efficiency. The prototype shown at right delivers 480 Nm at 1200 rpm.