Conti General earnings plummet in first half

HANOVER, Germany (Aug. 10)—Increasing raw materials prices and intensive price competition in the U.S. and Mexico combined to cut Continental General Tire Inc.´s operating earnings in half for the first six months of 2000 to $19.2 million, according to parent Continental A.G. Conti General´s sales, aided by the inclusion of results of the former Hulera Euzkadi in Mexico, jumped 23 percent to $806 million. Both the passenger and truck tire divisions contributed equally to the sales growth, Continental said.