Continental is considered as the fourth largest tire manufacturer all over the world. The German-based brand launched in the UAE in 2009 when they started their coordination with Emirates for Universal Tires (EUT), part of the Abdulla Al Masood and Sons (AMS) Group, to become the sole distributor. They recently funded and sponsored the AMG club’s drag racing event at the Dubai Autodrome, since all Mercedes-Benz AMG models come with Continental tires as standard.
According to Jonathan Tait, General Manager of EUT, said that Continental Tires work very closely with Mercedes-Benz, especially the AMG division. Indeed, Continental tires apparently have dedicated personnel working at the AMG headquarters to help build the most suitable tires for their performance cars. And added saying that Continental are serious about creating the best performance tires in the market.
Continental is now looking to expand their market share in the Middle East. “Continental Tires has been around for five years in the UAE and it has been good,” said Tait. “We hope to take it to the next level and have big plans for this region.”
Not only Mercedes-Benz, but Volkswagen and Audi are some of the other brands using Continental tires but Tait says they are not just restricted to German brands. “Continental is not exclusive to German car manufacturers, even though most of them are using Continental tires. For example, the next Nissan Tiida will have Continental tires.” The all-new Tiida is slated for launch later this year in the GCC.
However don’t expect lower prices than the other big brands as Continental tyre costs are on par with the usual big players in the market. Tait says, “Continental tyres are a premium brand and use German-engineering technology. Quality is not compromised and Continental tires are as good, if not better, than our main competitors in the market.”
Quick Fact about Continental AG:
Continental AG, commonly known as Continental or Conti, is a leading German auto and truck parts manufacturing company specializing in tires, brake systems, vehicle stability control systems, engine injection systems, tachographs, and other parts for the automotive and transportation industries. Continental is based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany. Continental is the world’s 4th largest tire manufacturer. Continental was founded in 1871 as a rubber manufacturer, Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie. After acquiring Siemens AG‘s VDO automotive unit in 2007. Continental was ranked fourth in global OEM automotive parts sales in 2009 according to a study sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP.
In 2008, Continental appeared overextended with its integration of VDO and had since lost almost half of its market capitalization when it found itself to be the takeover target of the family-owned Schaeffler AG. By 2009 Schaeffler successfully installed the head of its motor division at the helm of Continental.
On 6 September 2012, Continental returned to the benchmark DAX index of 30 selected German blue chip stocks after a 45-month absence. Schaeffler AG is the controlling shareholder and currently owns 49.9% of Continental shares
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