Conti completes €300m expansion project at Thai tire factory

Bangkok – Continental has completed an expansion of its tire manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, increasing annual production capacity by 3 million passenger car and light truck (PC/LT) tires and adding 600 jobs.

The expansion involved an investment of more than €300 million and also marks the start of local radial motorcycle tire production at the site, Continental announced 22 May.

Describing it “a vital pillar of our global production network,” said Continental CEO Christian Koetz said the expansion further strengthens Continental’s footprint in Asia-Pacific to deliver locally produced tires to customers.

“This investment underlines the strategic importance of Thailand and the APAC region for Continental,” he added.

According to the German tire maker, the factory now produces both diagonal and radial motorcycle tires, enabling faster response to changing market demand.

“Asia-Pacific is a dynamic, fast-growing region and a key driver of our long-term growth plan,” said Dalibor Kalina, head of Continental’s tire business in the APAC region.

“We aim to build on this momentum and grow further with ultra-high-performance tires,” he said, adding that the company is also expanding its SUV-focused tire portfolio for regional markets.

According to Continental, the Rayong plant uses “the most advanced production technology,” with a high degree of automation and quality assurance.

On the environmental side, the facility operates rooftop, floating and carport photovoltaic systems with a combined capacity of around 6.7 MW.

Continental said water consumption per production unit has been reduced by more than 70% through structured water management measures.

The German tire maker began passenger car and light truck tire production at the Rayong site in 2019 and added motorcycle tire manufacturing in 2021.

The plant manufactures premium tire lines including the MaxContact MC7 and products designed for electric vehicles.

Continental said it supplied original equipment tires to seven of the ten highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers in Asia-Pacific during 2025.