GENEVA (March 7, 2008) — Continental A.G. raised its original equipment presence last year in Europe and North America to about 30 and 16 percent, respectively, by increasing shipments of passenger and sport-utility vehicle tires to vehicle makers during a year when sales of new vehicle stagnated.
In Europe, Conti shipped about 8 percent more consumer tires — 27 million units — to car makers last year than in 2006, according to Nikolai Setzer, head of worldwide passenger tire original equipment activities at Continental. Conti's market share rose about 4 percentage points as a result, he said.
In North America, the firm supplied about 12 million Continental- and General-brand passenger and SUV tires to OE customers, a volume that corresponds to a share of nearly 16 percent, he said.
Globally Conti shipped 42.5 million passenger, SUV and 4x4 tires to vehicle makers, including growing business with vehicle assembly operations in Asia, South Africa and Russia.