Continental has started production and distribution of radial truck tyres in India.
Continental, an international tyre manufacturer and automotive supplier, has started production and distribution of radial truck tyres in the Indian market. With an initial annual production capacity of more than 220,000 radial truck tyres, a dealer network of over 1,400 outlets, and sales and customer service teams in more than 70 cities across India, Continental takes the next step in expanding its reach in India after acquiring Indian tyre manufacturer Modi in 2011.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Andreas Esser, Head-Commercial Vehicle Tyres, Continental, said, ?Introducing Continental radial truck tyres into the Indian market is a momentous occasion for us. India is the second largest market for truck tyres in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), and we strongly believe that our premium technology products, manufactured locally and distributed through our Indian market organisation, will make Continental a preferred partner in the tyre replacement and original equipment business.?

The Indian truck tyre replacement market has a total volume of approximately 14 million units per year, out of which almost 4 million units are radial tyres, whereas the other 10 million are bias tyres. Over the last five years, the market has not only grown by approximately 24 per cent, but has also seen a strong shift towards radial tyres. It is expected that radialisation will gain further momentum in the next years. ?We firmly believe that the personal training of our local staff through experienced experts from other production sites is a key factor for the successful ramp-up of a new tyre plant. The strong manufacturing network supports excellence in operation, especially the case for the switch from producing bias tyres to radial tyres, where the technology involved is more complex and requires additional know-how,?said Thierry Wipff, Head-Manufacturing Commercial Vehicle Tyres, Continental.

Investing in local production capacities is part of Continental?s strategy to diversify its global manufacturing footprint and expand business in growing markets, such as India. Continental has invested heavily into the construction of a new production building alongside with machinery for making radial tyres.

With provisional sales of around Rs 2,700 crore in 2013, 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, tyres, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. The company is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication.

As one of the world?s leading tyre manufacturers, with more than 42,000 employees, the tyre division achieved sales of Rs 9,700 crore in 2012.