Despite the recession, Continental Tyres is committed the ultra high performance (UHP) tyres sector and in particular is seeking a greater share of the growing high-performance summer tyres sector for speeds above 240 km/h or 150 mph. Indeed, Continental Tyres has invested in both new technologies and research & development; not only to aid growth but also to boost its replacement market business through further success with OEM's. At the same time, Continental Tyres values short braking distances and the lowest possible rolling resistance to combine safety with environmental considerations. With a strong technological bias that makes them highly competitive in this sector, Continental Tyres is aiming to capture a significant share of the market for ultra high performance (UHP) tyres, which are manufactured in 17-23-inch sizes, and are sold mainly in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Continental Tyres has already invested in new products for Europe, and the ContiSportContact 5 P - made for high performance cars and now approved by Mercedes-Benz, AMG and Audi - will be launched in spring 2010, with its counterpart, the Continental Tyres ContiSportContact 5 in spring 2011. Continental Tyres expects OEM approvals in the high-performance market to also drive success in the replacement market because the OEM business contributes towards the generation of know-how and subsequent transfer of this expertise to tyres for the replacement market. A good example of how well this works is Continental Tyres' run-flat systems, which are successfully sold in both the OEM sector and the replacement market. In the field of UHP tyres, the ContiSportContact Vmax with its standard approval of 360 km/h (225 mph) clearly demonstrates that close co-operation with top manufacturers and high-end car customers is an essential part of technological leadership. Now, thanks to Continental Tyres high level of know-how in its R & D team, an involvement in racing is also under consideration. These new initiatives and further investments in research and development have clearly placed Continental Tyres on the right track for generating growth through technological leadership in the high performance market. Moreover, Continental Tyres is not about to make short-term cuts in important R&D investments and projects. Worldwide competition and the demands for future solutions to individual mobility will continue to increase and, as Europe's leading tyre manufacturer, Continental Tyres will continue to pursue growth through continual advances in product development. About the Author Written by Leslie J Renfrew
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