Continental AG
German multinational manufacturer focused on tires and rubber-based industrial products after the separation of its automotive technology business.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Continental AG is a German multinational manufacturing group headquartered in Hanover. Founded in 1871 as a rubber producer, it developed from a diversified rubber and mobility company into one of the world's major tire manufacturers and automotive suppliers. Its early growth came from bicycle and vehicle tires, while later expansion added brake systems, chassis technology, vehicle electronics, powertrain components, interiors, and industrial rubber products. The Continental brand is particularly associated with passenger-car, commercial-vehicle, motorcycle, and bicycle tires. The group also sells tires under a portfolio of regional and segment-focused brands, including General Tire, Uniroyal in Europe, Semperit, Barum, Gislaved, Viking, Matador, Mabor, and Sportiva. Its ContiTech business supplies rubber and thermoplastic products to industrial customers, including belting, hoses, air springs, surface materials, and related systems. Continental became a global automotive supplier through a series of acquisitions. It bought European tire operations from Uniroyal in 1979 and acquired General Tire in North America in 1987. In the automotive sector, it acquired Temic, Phoenix AG, Motorola's automotive electronics business, and Siemens VDO. The Siemens VDO transaction substantially increased Continental's technology capabilities but also left the company highly leveraged and exposed to integration and financial pressures. In 2008, Continental became the target of a hostile takeover by the Schaeffler Group. The transaction produced a long period of tension over ownership, strategy, and management, although Schaeffler later became Continental's controlling shareholder through IHO Group. Continental subsequently reorganized its portfolio. Its Powertrain business was separated as Vitesco Technologies in 2021, and its remaining Automotive group sector was spun off as Aumovio in 2025. Following that separation, Continental's principal activities are Tires and ContiTech; ContiTech has also been identified for a planned sale. The company serves vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, replacement-tire distributors, industrial customers, and consumers. Its customer base has included major global automobile, truck, and bus manufacturers. Continental's current positioning combines tire safety, vehicle efficiency, digital monitoring, and materials expertise, although the post-2025 group is more narrowly centered on tire and industrial rubber operations than the pre-spin-off company.
History
Continental was established in Hanover in 1871 under the name Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie. It initially manufactured rubber goods and other elastomer products. In 1892, the company entered bicycle pneumatic tires, creating an important foundation for its later mobility business. Continental introduced grooved vehicle tires in 1904 and developed detachable tires for touring vehicles the following year. Synthetic rubber became increasingly important in its tire production during the early twentieth century, and the company broadened its technical capabilities through research and industrial consolidation. During the late 1920s, Continental combined with other German rubber companies to form Continental Gummi-Werke AG, at the time Germany's largest rubber enterprise. The Nazi period left a grave legacy. Company management and governance were brought into line with the regime, Jewish supervisory-board members were forced out, and political opponents were removed from the works council. During the Second World War, Continental used forced labor supplied through the Nazi concentration-camp system at several Hanover-area facilities, including sites associated with Neuengamme. This history is an important part of the company's institutional record. After the war, Continental rebuilt its commercial and technical position. Its tires were used in prominent motorsport successes during the 1950s, including races involving Daimler-Benz and Porsche. In 1967, the company opened the Contidrom test facility, which became a significant center for tire development and evaluation. Continental expanded internationally through the purchase of European Uniroyal tire operations in 1979 and General Tire in 1987. The latter acquisition established a substantial North American tire presence and created the basis for Continental Tire the Americas. The group increasingly pursued automotive technology beyond tires. It acquired a controlling interest in Temic in 2001, bought Phoenix AG in 2004, and acquired Motorola's automotive electronics operations in 2006. In 2007, Continental purchased Siemens VDO for approximately €11.4 billion, a transformative deal that expanded its electronics, powertrain, interior, and vehicle-systems activities. The integration increased the company's strategic reach but also contributed to financial strain during the global economic downturn. That vulnerability helped trigger Schaeffler's hostile approach in 2008. Continental ultimately accepted a takeover arrangement valued at roughly €12 billion. Management changes followed, including the departure of CEO Manfred Wennemer, the short tenure of Karl-Thomas Neumann, and the appointment of Elmar Degenhart in 2009. Schaeffler's investment holding structure, IHO Group, became Continental's controlling shareholder. Continental later returned to Germany's DAX index in 2012 after a 45-month absence. Continental continued to develop manufacturing and distribution in North America. It acquired Veyance Technologies in 2015 for its ContiTech business, subject to divestitures required by competition authorities. Its American tire subsidiary announced major investments in Sumter, South Carolina, and Clinton, Mississippi, and acquired Hoosier Racing Tire in 2016. In Australia, Continental purchased Kmart Tyre & Auto Service from Wesfarmers in 2018. The company also promoted its technical capabilities through partnerships and industry awards. Its work with Honda on a long-range bidirectional vehicle key system received a 2016 Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award. Continental received further PACE recognition for circuit-board substrate technology, sensor technology, digital micromirror head-up displays, and Virtual A-Pillar technology. The most consequential recent change has been portfolio separation. Continental spun off Powertrain as Vitesco Technologies in 2021. In 2025, its Automotive group sector was separated as Aumovio, including businesses formerly associated with Continental Automotive Systems and VDO. The post-spin-off Continental is focused on Tires and ContiTech, although ContiTech has been designated for a planned sale. Christian Kötz became CEO in 2026, succeeding Nikolai Setzer.
- 2026
Christian Kötz appointed CEO
[1]Christian Kötz became chief executive, succeeding Nikolai Setzer.
- 2025
Automotive sector separated as Aumovio
[1]Continental completed the spin-off of its Automotive group sector as Aumovio.
- 2021
Powertrain separated as Vitesco Technologies
[1]Continental spun off its Powertrain division into the separately listed Vitesco Technologies.
- 2015
Veyance Technologies acquired
[1]Continental acquired Veyance Technologies for integration into ContiTech, with regulatory divestitures required in selected markets.
- 2012
Return to the DAX index
[1]Continental returned to the DAX benchmark after a 45-month absence.
- 2008
Schaeffler takeover agreement
[1]Continental agreed to a takeover arrangement with Schaeffler after a contentious ownership battle.
- 2007
Siemens VDO acquired
[1]Continental acquired Siemens VDO, substantially enlarging its automotive electronics and systems operations.
- 1987
General Tire acquired
[1]Continental acquired General Tire in the United States, strengthening its global presence.
- 1979
European Uniroyal tire operations acquired
[1]The acquisition expanded Continental's European tire platform.
- 1967
Contidrom opens
[1]Continental opened the Contidrom tire-testing facility.
Products and positioning
A German engineering-led mobility and materials company built around premium tires, replacement and original-equipment supply, and industrial rubber and thermoplastic applications.
Tires · 1892
Continental tires
The core consumer and original-equipment offering includes tires for passenger cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. Continental positions its principal tire brand around safety, handling, braking, efficiency, and application-specific performance. Products are sold through vehicle manufacturers, tire dealers, distributors, and other replacement-market channels worldwide.
Tires
General Tire
General Tire is a Continental-owned tire brand with a particularly strong presence in North America. It serves passenger vehicles, light trucks, SUVs, and commercial applications and complements Continental's premium brand with a broader regional and product-market positioning.
Industrial rubber and thermoplastics
ContiTech industrial systems
ContiTech develops rubber and thermoplastic products for industrial customers. Its activities have included conveyor belts, hoses, air springs, surface materials, and other engineered components used in mobility, manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure applications. The business has been identified for a planned sale as Continental reshapes its portfolio.
Tires
Regional tire brands
Continental's wider tire portfolio includes brands such as Uniroyal in Europe, Semperit, Barum, Gislaved, Viking, Matador, Mabor, Sportiva, and other regionally distributed names. Availability and positioning vary by country and vehicle segment.
Controversies
1940
Forced labor during the Second World War
Continental used forced labor supplied through the Nazi concentration-camp system at several Hanover-area factories during the Second World War. The episode forms part of the company's documented historical responsibility.
1933
Nazi-era collaboration and exclusion
After the Nazi rise to power, Continental's management and governance were aligned with the regime. Jewish supervisory-board members were forced to resign and political opponents were removed from employee representation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Tour de France official tire partnership
International
Continental entered a partnership to serve as an official tire sponsor of the Tour de France, linking the brand to professional cycling and tire performance.
Outcome. The partnership was reported as extending through 2027.
- 2002Continental Tire Bowl sponsorship
United States
Continental's North American tire subsidiary sponsored a college football bowl game in Charlotte, North Carolina, for three editions.
Outcome. The sponsorship later transferred to Meineke Car Care Center.
Brand decisions
2025
Spin off Automotive as AumovioM&ABackground
Continental continued its portfolio simplification by separating its remaining Automotive group sector.
Action taken
The Automotive business was spun off as Aumovio, including operations formerly associated with Continental Automotive Systems and VDO.
Aftermath
Continental became primarily a Tires and ContiTech group, with ContiTech subsequently earmarked for sale.
2021
Spin off Powertrain as Vitesco TechnologiesM&ABackground
Continental reorganized its automotive portfolio and separated the Powertrain business from the parent group.
Action taken
Powertrain was established as Vitesco Technologies and began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in September 2021.
Aftermath
The separation created a separately listed powertrain supplier and reduced Continental's direct exposure to that business.
2007
Acquire Siemens VDOM&ABackground
Continental sought to expand from tires and selected automotive systems into a much broader automotive technology portfolio.
Action taken
It purchased Siemens VDO for approximately €11.4 billion.
Aftermath
The acquisition increased Continental's electronics and vehicle-systems capabilities but contributed to integration and financial pressure before the Schaeffler takeover conflict.
Acquisition value. Approximately €11.4 billion (2007 transaction)
Recent events
Continental and Horizon sign memorandum to establish intelligent-driving joint venture[3]
Reported:
Continental and Horizon signed a memorandum of cooperation at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, announcing that they would jointly establish an intelligent-driving joint venture to provide ADAS and autonomous-driving hardware and software solutions.
Continental introduces EPB-Si electronic parking brake system[4]
Reported:
Continental detailed its EPB-Si electronic parking brake solution for electric vehicles during an online class on March 11. The article says the product was already being used on several Volkswagen MEB-platform electric vehicle models.
Volocopter announces €200 million Series D funding[5]
Reported:
Volocopter announced the signing of its Series D funding round, raising €200 million in additional capital. The company said the funding would support VoloCity certification and accelerate the launch of its first commercial routes.
Continental announces planned job cuts and transfers[6]
Reported:
Continental said it planned to cut or transfer up to 13% of its employees as part of a restructuring intended to reduce costs by at least 1 billion euros annually; the reported measures could affect 30,000 jobs.
Continental announces further workforce reductions[7]
Reported:
Continental announced on September 1 that it would further implement a workforce-reduction plan, with the share of positions cut expected to reach 13%. This was an announced plan, not a report that the layoffs had been completed.
Continental says it cannot provide 2020 guidance[8]
Reported:
Continental said uncertainty about the duration and severity of the pandemic made it unable to provide guidance for fiscal 2020.
Continental reports first-quarter 2020 results[8]
Reported:
Continental published preliminary key figures for the first quarter of 2020, reporting consolidated sales of €9.8 billion and an adjusted EBIT margin of 4.4%.
- Unconfirmed
Genesis GV80 to feature a 3D instrument cluster[9]
The article reports that the Genesis GV80 will feature a 3D instrument cluster jointly developed by Hyundai and Continental, described as the first such cluster in a production car.
- Unconfirmed
Etongtong and Continental entered strategic cooperation[10]
Reported:
Etongtong and Continental Group subsidiary Continental Investment (China) reached a strategic cooperation agreement to work in China on smart cities, smart mobility and connected vehicles. Etongtong will provide China-compliant map data and related services to Continental.
Evergrande announces strategic cooperation with automotive suppliers[11]
Reported:
Evergrande announced strategic cooperation with more than 60 automotive suppliers, including Bosch, Continental and ZF, covering the automotive-parts supply chain to accelerate its development in the new-energy vehicle sector.
Sources12 sources
- 1Continental AGen.wikipedia.org
- 2Continental AG official websitecontinental.com
- 3大陆集团与地平线签署备忘录，拟成立智能驾驶合资公司prnasia.com
- 4大陆集团介绍EPB-Si电子驻车制动系统finance.sina.com.cn
- 5Volocopter宣布完成2亿欧元D轮融资prnewswire.com
- 6大陆集团宣布计划裁员或转移员工tech.sina.com.cn
- 7大陆集团宣布进一步裁员计划tech.sina.com.cn
- 8大陆集团称目前无法给出2020财年预期finance.sina.com.cn
- 9捷恩斯GV80将搭载3D仪表盘auto.hexun.com
- 10易图通与大陆集团达成战略合作tech.sina.com.cn
- 11恒大宣布与汽车供应商达成战略合作finance.sina.com.cn
- 12Volocopter closes $200 million financing round - electrive.comelectrive.com
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