- Important investment that accelerates Continental’s development in China: Opening of Changshu plant expansion
- In the market for the market: The expansion provides advanced solutions for safer and more comfortable vehicles
Continental is continuously expanding its activities in China. The international automotive supplier announced today an important milestone that will accelerate its growth in China: the opening of additional 7,600 square meters of floor space in Changshu to increase capacity and to locally produce the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with a total investment of 36 million Euro.
Dr. Ralf Cramer, President and CEO of Continental China, said: “I am very delighted about the investment, which not only responds to the robust local business growth development, but also demonstrates our commitment to exploring the booming Chinese market for sustainable growth in the future. China is an important growth motor for Continental and already the largest auto producer and market in the world. We are excited about continually expanding our investment in the Chinese market and confident in achieving over-proportional growth here.”
Plant Expansion in Changshu – New Production Line for Electronic Parking Brakes
Opened in 2008, Continental’s Chassis & Safety plant in Changshu produces hydraulic brake systems, in particular front and rear calipers, drum brakes and brake actuation products, which are supplied to eleven OEM in Asia, including around 45 percent export to Japan and Korea.
With the purpose of increasing the plant’s production volume and providing sufficient logistic space, a new production line for the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) was installed. Electronic parking brakes are rapidly making inroads in every category of car and are becoming ever more commonplace. The advantage of electronic parking brakes is that they perform various assistance functions in conjunction with electronic brake systems to add safety and convenience. Changshu plant will begin supplying Chinese and Japanese vehicle manufacturers with locally produced EPB from 2014. With this expansion the workforce of Changshu plant will reach 2,250 employees, and annual production volume will increase by around 30 percent.
Established in China since 1994, Continental is one of the leading automotive suppliers with 19 manufacturing locations, nine R&D centers and approximately 17,000 employees in this growing market. Continental China is developing and manufacturing products for all the different vehicle segments, from the high-end vehicles to affordable cars to meet the demands of local and global customers.
The investment not only marks Continental’s confidence in the development prospects in China, but it also underlines its strong commitment to providing advanced solutions for safer and more comfortable vehicles to our customers worldwide.
With sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection.
Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has almost 175,000 employees in 46 countries.
The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €7.0 billion in 2012, 34,500 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €6.1 billion in 2012, 31,000 employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €6.4 billion in 2012, 33,000 employees) achieved sales of approximately €19.5 billion in 2012. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170 locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency.
The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and -sensorics, washer systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and passive driving safety into ContiGuard. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators, as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives. Information management is at the very heart of the
Interior Division, which provides a range of products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car-entry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.
