Conti claims top tire OE position in China

Hanover, Germany – Continental AG was the leading original equipment supplier for passenger car tires on the Chinese market during the first six months of 2022, the German manufacturer has announced.

Citing a study conducted by the trade publication “China Tire Dealer”, Conti said it won the top position among tire makers supplying to new vehicle models introduced on the Chinese market during the first half of the year.

“Continental has acquired an outstanding reputation for the incredible performance of its tires,” said Juan Botero, who heads Continental’s passenger and light truck tires OE business unit in Asia-Pacific.

“Premium brands trust us heavily,” he said, adding “But we also serve emerging brands that too look for maximum performance and safety in a tire.”

According to Conti, the German manufacturer has seen significant growth in OE approvals in China over the recent years, particularly in the electric vehicle segment and with “premium” brands.

Continental stated that, in 2021, it held approvals for three of the five “most successful” manufacturers of all-electric vehicles in the APAC region.

In global terms, Continental claims to be supplying to seven of the ten “most successful” manufacturers of all-electric vehicles in the same time frame.

According to Conti, the German group’s global tire business has grown significantly over the past few years, driven not by just North America, but also Asia-Pacific .

Conti linked the APAC growth to the opening of its tire plant in Hefei, Anhui, back in 2009 and the R&D centre at the site.

In 2009, China became the biggest automotive manufacturing nation in the world and has also been the world’s biggest automotive market since.

Annual vehicle production in China today accounts for about 30% of all vehicle production across the world, according to Conti.