Continental Tyres:

In 1871 Continental-Caoutchouc-und-Gutta-Percha Compagnie was founded in Hanover as a joint stock company. In the main factory there they started manufacturing a range of products including solid tyres for carriages and bicycles.

Continental was the first German company to produce pneumatic tyres for bicycles and by 1898 was producing pneumatic tyres without tread patterns for cars.

Three years later Continental launched the world's first patterned tread for passenger vehicles. Just a year on they were producing riveted anti-skid tyres, a forerunner of steel-studded tyres.

Continental's highly innovative approach continued in the years that followed with the invention of detachable rims which made changing a tyre much more straightforward. They introduced a cord tyre to the market and then rubber-metal bonding which aided the reduction of vibration and noise in the function of supporting motors.

By 1952 Continental were producing winter tyres and in 1955 started manufacturing tubeless tyres. 1960 saw the start of mass production of radial tyres and in 1972 Continental launched the studless ContiContact winter tyre.

The company expanded rapidly during the second half of the 1970s and beyond, going in for joint ventures and taking over, amongst others, the tyre manufacturers of Semperit, and General Tire, Inc. In 2002 Continental joined forces with Bridgestone to develop run-flat tyres and progresses tyre production for Japanese car makers by establishing a 50/50 venture with Yokohama. It increases its presence in Malaysia the following year by linking up with Sime Darby Berhad and established two tyre plants.

2003 saw Continental launching the world's first road tyre capable of speeds up to 224mph and meanwhile their expansion continued so that they are now represented via their various interests and connections with the automotive industry throughout the world.

Amongst their car tyres is the ContiEcoContact3, a tyre for smaller to medium sized cars, offering improved grip when cornering, exceptional braking on wet or dry road surfaces and superb protection against aquaplaning. Designed for improved stability, shorter breaking distances and once again, first rate aquaplaning protection is the ContiPremiumContact2 for small and medium sized cars through to executive cars. Last but by no means least is the Continental ContiSportContact3 which, as its name suggests, is a high performance tyre giving precision steering, shorter breaking distances on wet or dry roads. The unique grooves are designed to enhance resistance to aquaplaning. Continental also make a ContiWinterContact tyres for all types of passenger cars and a range of 4x4 tyres under the ContiCrossContact banner for different types of 4x4 and SUV vehicle, including the ContiCrossContact LX which gives a quieter, more comfortable ride and is suitable for light off road use. The ContiCrossContact AT is for medium sized 4x4s and SUVs, a durable long lasting tyre for all types of terrain offering excellent traction off road, whilst giving a smooth, quiet ride. The Conti4x4SportContact and ContiCrossContact tyres give superb cornering and directional stability, with the same aquaplaning resistance and quieter ride features as the other 4x4 tyres in this range. They are suitable for high performance vehicles on the road.