Complementing the existing plant in Changchun to support Continental’s rapid growth in the Chinese market, it becomes the largest plant in China and Asia.
Changchun, China, December 6, 2012. Today one of the leading international automotive suppliers, Continental, announced the opening of its 2nd plant Jingyue Branch, a new addition to Continental Automotive (Changchun) Co., Ltd. in Jilin in China. Many government officials and Continental’s senior executives attended the new plant’s official opening ceremony, celebrating a major milestone in Continental’s history. As Continental’s largest manufacturing base in China and Asia with the investment of RMB 300 million, the new plant will be fully operational in early January 2013, and play a significant role in meeting increasing demand from both local and global markets.
Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Chairman of the Executive Board of Continental AG, said, “China is a very important market for Continental’s future growth. The 2nd plant in Changchun is a vital part of our growth strategy that reflects our goal to be ‘in the market for the market.’ Our investment in this new plant is a decisive step that not only strengthens our business in China but also demonstrates our strong confidence in and commitment to our local customers and business partners.”
“The new plant is our 19th production facility in China and it strengthens our position as a leading automotive supplier,” said Mr. Jay Kunkel, President of Continental China. “We have been accelerating our development in Chinathrough continuous investments and talent recruitment. I am very excited to witness the opening of the 2nd plant in Changchun, as it will play a crucial role both with regard to our localization strategy and development and delivery of our best-in-class quality products to our customers in China and worldwide.”
The new plant is located in the Moon Lake Development Zone, eleven kilometers away from the existing 1st plant. With a total land space of 109,200 square meters, the facility includes a production area, ware house, office building, laboratory and R&D center. With the company’s product specialization strategy in place, the primary goal of the new plant is to optimize and increase production for Continental’s Chassis & Safety and Interior divisions. The existing plant will be dedicated to Powertrain division’s engine systems and sensors and actuators products, while the Chassis & Safety and Interior divisions’ production lines from plant no. 1 will be transferred to the new plant on behalf of the four Business Units Passive Safety & Sensorics, Chassis Components, Body & Security and Commercial Vehicles & Aftermarket. The annual production volume of this new plant is approximately 12.5 million units from Chassis & Safety division and 19 million units from Interior division.
Established in 1995, the 1st plant, Continental Automotive (Changchun) Co., Ltd., is one of Continental China’s first manufacturing plants and remains a very important production base for Continental, serving 153 customers in 63locations across China and 54 customers in 18 countries worldwide.Continental Automotive (Changchun) Co., Ltd. has a workforce of around 3,300 employees. It provides a wide portfolio of products for Continental’s three automotive divisions, including airbag control units, wheel speed sensors and electronic chassis components for the Chassis & Safety division, engine management systems, transmission control units, Deka VII injectors, fuel rails, regulators and engine system components for the Powertrain division; immobilizers, remote keyless entry systems, passive start and entry systems, body control modules, door electronic control units and anti-pinch window lifter electronics for the Interior division.
Mr. Axel Weber, Plant and Location Manager of Continental Automotive(Changchun) Co., Ltd. commented, “Thanks to the support from the government of Changchun and Jingyue Industrial Zone, the construction of the 2nd plant has been completed within just around 14 months. The technical facilities are excellent and on world class level. In addition to production, the new site also covers a Research and Development facility for all the three automotive divisions. Leveraging our global know-how, it will definitely enhance our local R&D capabilities for our local and global customers.”
Since its start in China in 1994, Continental has now 19 manufacturing and 8 R&D locations as well as approximately 16,000 employees in China. In 2012Continental made a number of significant investments in China to accelerate its business growth. This includes the opening of the Heihe Winter Test Center in February, the launch of the two-wheel tires production in Hefei, the expansion of Continental Automotive Systems Shanghai plant in Jiading and the announcement of a new plant in Wuhu. These investments mark Continental’s confidence in China’s development prospects as well as its commitment to the Chinese market.
