Continental AG at a Glance
Continental AG is one of the world’s best known tire and technology companies. It began as a small rubber producer in Germany and grew into a global group that helped shape modern road travel. Over time, it has moved through many changes, crises, and bold strategic shifts.
The company’s story stretches from horse-drawn carriages to electric cars and software-driven vehicles. Its tires sit on family cars, trucks, buses, bicycles, and machines used in heavy industry. Along the way, Continental has also had to face difficult parts of its history and adjust to a fast-changing world.
This overview walks through how Continental started, how it grew, what it sells, and how it is changing once again. It is written for curious readers who enjoy company stories, not only for industry insiders. You will see both the proud milestones and the harder chapters.
How Continental AG Started
Continental’s story begins on October 8, 1871, in Hanover, Germany. A group of investors and business leaders formed the Continental-Caoutchouc- und Gutta-Percha Compagnie. Their goal was to build a modern factory that could turn raw rubber into useful products.
At the time, rubber was an exciting material. It was flexible, water resistant, and useful for many new industrial products. Continental first focused on rubberized fabrics, soft rubber items, and solid tires for horse-drawn vehicles and bicycles.
From the start, the company tried to link its products with strength and motion. Continental officially adopted the image of the rampant horse as a company trademark in 1882. That symbol is still used today and helps tie the current company back to its early roots.
The Early Years: Rubber, Horses, and New Ideas
In the late nineteenth century, Europe was changing fast. Cities were growing, factories were opening, and new forms of transport were appearing. Continental saw a chance to supply reliable rubber goods for this growing industrial world.
The company made rubber-coated fabrics for clothing and equipment. It also produced solid rubber tires for carriages and early bicycles. These products improved comfort and safety on rough roads.
Continental’s teams began to look beyond simple rubber blocks and sheets. They experimented with shapes, layers, and patterns that could carry more weight and last longer. This work laid the base for its later move into advanced tires.
Moving into the Age of the Car
The bicycle boom of the late 1800s and the rise of motor vehicles gave Continental a new path. In 1892, the company became the first in Germany to make pneumatic bicycle tires. These air-filled tires gave smoother rides and better handling.
As cars appeared, Continental quickly adapted its skills. In 1898, it launched pneumatic tires for motor vehicles. In 1904, it introduced one of its most famous innovations, a car tire with a patterned tread that improved grip.
This step into treaded tires changed how people thought about road safety. The idea that tire patterns could help vehicles stop and steer better became a core part of tire design. It also helped set Continental apart from many early rivals.
Between Wars and Under Dictatorship
The first half of the twentieth century was turbulent. Continental had to deal with economic swings, political upheaval, and two world wars. During the 1920s, the company merged with other rubber firms and operated under the name Continental Gummi-Werke AG.
The period from 1933 to 1945 is one of the darkest chapters in the company’s story. Under the Nazi regime, Continental became an important supplier to the war economy. It produced materials for military vehicles and equipment.
Research has shown that the company used forced labor on a large scale during this time. Prisoners from camps and other forced workers were made to work in harsh conditions. Many decades later, Continental commissioned an independent study to bring this history to light and to take responsibility for its role.
Rebuilding After the Second World War
After 1945, much of Germany lay in ruins, and Continental’s facilities had also suffered damage. The company had to rebuild factories, equipment, and trust. It slowly restarted production of tires and rubber goods in a recovering West German economy.
In the post-war years, car ownership grew quickly. New highways and better roads created strong demand for reliable tires. Continental invested in modern machinery, new rubber compounds, and better quality control.
The company also began to expand its reach beyond Germany. It worked with foreign partners and set up sites in other countries. This gradual international expansion helped set up its later global presence.
Global Growth and Big Acquisitions
In the second half of the twentieth century, Continental started to think like a global player. It saw that growth would come not only from Germany and Europe but from markets all over the world. To move faster, it used acquisitions as a key tool.
One major step came in 1987, when Continental acquired the U.S. tire company General Tire. This gave Continental a stronger foothold in North America and added well-known brands to its portfolio. It also brought new factories and customers.
The company continued to build its industrial rubber side. Purchases such as Phoenix AG and later Veyance Technologies expanded its range of conveyor belts, hoses, and vibration control products. Over time, this side of the business became known as ContiTech.
From Tires to High-Tech Automotive Systems
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, cars were no longer just mechanical machines. They were becoming complex systems filled with electronics, sensors, and software. Continental decided it needed to be part of this shift.
The company developed and supplied braking systems, stability control, and safety electronics. It invested in sensors that could detect road conditions and help prevent accidents. Later, it added digital dashboards, infotainment systems, and connectivity solutions.
A key move was the purchase of Siemens VDO Automotive in 2007. This acquisition greatly expanded Continental’s expertise in powertrain electronics and vehicle control systems. It also made Continental one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, not just a tire maker.
Challenges, Crises, and Tough Choices
Not every big move went smoothly. The Siemens VDO acquisition, while strategic, was expensive. Soon after the deal, the global financial crisis hit in 2008. This created pressure on sales, profits, and debt levels.
The company also faced a tense situation with the Schaeffler Group. Schaeffler built up a large stake in Continental, leading to disputes over control and strategy. These events tested Continental’s governance and stability.
Over time, the company worked through these problems and returned to a more stable footing. But the experience left a mark. It showed how financial risk, complex takeovers, and external shareholders can shape a company’s direction.
Reshaping the Company: Spin-Offs and New Focus
In the 2010s and 2020s, Continental began to rethink its structure. The company had become a mix of tires, industrial rubber, powertrain systems, electronics, and software. Leaders asked whether this broad mix still made sense.
Step by step, Continental started to separate some of these activities. In 2021, it spun off its powertrain business as Vitesco Technologies, a separate listed company. This allowed both groups to focus on their core strengths.
Later, Continental created a dedicated Automotive group sector and then prepared another spin-off. In 2025, this business was split off as Aumovio, a company focused on software-defined vehicles, advanced driver assistance, and related technologies. Continental itself moved toward a more focused role as a tire-centered group, with plans to sell its remaining industrial ContiTech unit.
What Continental AG Sells Today
Today, Continental is best known for its tires. It produces tires for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles. It also makes tires for special uses, such as agriculture, construction, and industrial vehicles.
Its brands include Continental itself, as well as others like General Tire and several regional names. The company aims to position its products as premium, with strong performance in safety, handling, noise, and fuel efficiency. It invests heavily in testing and development at its proving grounds around the world.
Through ContiTech, Continental has also been active in industrial solutions. This includes conveyor belts, hoses, drive belts, air springs, and surface materials used in many sectors. However, with planned sales and structural changes, the company is gradually reshaping this part of its portfolio.
How Continental AG Makes Money
Continental earns a large share of its income from tires sold as original equipment. These are the tires that car and truck makers fit to new vehicles leaving the factory. A strong position with major automakers helps Continental keep production steady.
The company also makes significant money in the replacement market. Drivers, fleets, and businesses buy new tires when old ones wear out or when they want better performance. This replacement cycle can bring recurring revenue and more stable demand.
Industrial customers add another stream of income. Conveyor belts, hoses, and vibration control products are used in mining, ports, factories, and logistics centers. As the group refocuses, the tire business is likely to remain the main driver of revenue and profit.
Competitors and Place in the Market
In the global tire industry, Continental competes with other large premium brands. These include Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Pirelli. All of them invest in new materials, tread designs, and safety testing.
Continental is often ranked among the top four tire manufacturers worldwide by sales. It aims to position itself as a premium choice, competing on performance, quality, and innovation. At the same time, it faces pressure from lower-cost brands and growing producers from emerging markets.
In the wider mobility space, Continental’s former automotive activities now live inside Aumovio. That company competes with other global suppliers of electronics and software for vehicles. Continental, in its new form, is more narrowly focused but still plays a central role in road transport.
People, Work, and Company Culture
Continental often highlights values such as trust, freedom to act, and passion for winning. The company says it wants employees to feel responsible for results and free to suggest better ways of working. It stresses teamwork between engineers, plant workers, and business specialists.
The company runs training programs, apprenticeships, and international assignments. These programs give employees chances to build their skills and work with colleagues from many countries. This is important for a group that operates in dozens of locations around the world.
In recent years, Continental has also placed more weight on ethics and historical reflection. By commissioning a study on its role during the Nazi era and sharing the findings, it has tried to build a culture that faces difficult facts rather than hiding them.
Impact on Industry and Society
Continental’s innovations in tires have had a major impact on road safety. From early patterned treads to modern high-performance tires, its work has helped vehicles stop more quickly, grip better, and use fuel more efficiently. These improvements touch the daily lives of millions of drivers.
When the company expanded into automotive electronics and safety systems, its impact grew even larger. Technologies like anti-lock braking systems, stability control, and advanced driver assistance help prevent accidents and save lives. Even after the spin-off of Aumovio, these contributions remain part of the company’s legacy.
Continental and its related companies also provide jobs for large numbers of people. Their factories, research centers, and offices support local communities and supply networks. At the same time, the group’s large industrial footprint means it carries a special responsibility for environmental and social performance.
Interesting Facts About Continental AG
Some details from Continental’s long history stand out as especially interesting. They show how a company can connect many different eras and technologies. They also show how brand symbols and ideas can last for generations.
One striking fact is the age of its logo. The rearing horse symbol dates back to 1882 and has survived wars, regime changes, and company restructurings. Few industrial brands can point to such continuity in their visual identity.
Another point of interest is the company’s formal effort to study its own past. By funding independent historians to examine its actions during the Nazi years, Continental created a detailed record that is rare in its depth. This effort has drawn attention from scholars and the public.
- Continental introduced pneumatic bicycle tires in Germany as early as 1892.
- The company helped pioneer patterned treads on car tires in 1904.
- It has owned well-known tire brands beyond Continental, including General Tire in the United States.
- Continental has set specific goals to increase the share of renewable and recycled materials in its tires over the coming decades.
- The group has spun off two major businesses, Vitesco Technologies and Aumovio, to sharpen its strategic focus.
Lessons from Continental AG’s Journey
Continental’s history offers several useful lessons about business over the long term. One clear lesson is the need to adapt. The company has moved from rubber goods to tires, from tires to electronics, and now back toward a tire-centered model, all in response to changing markets.
Another lesson is that growth through acquisitions can be powerful but demanding. Large purchases like Siemens VDO opened new doors but also brought debt, complexity, and integration risk. Leaders had to manage not just technology but also finances and corporate control.
A further lesson involves dealing with difficult history. By openly confronting its role in the Nazi war economy and the use of forced labor, the company showed that facing the truth can be part of building trust. This approach may not erase the past, but it can shape how a company is seen going forward.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
Looking ahead, Continental faces a mix of risks and chances. The tire market is mature and very competitive. To stand out, the company must keep improving safety, durability, and comfort while keeping costs under control.
At the same time, changes in mobility create fresh needs. Electric vehicles have different weight patterns and torque, which affect how tires wear and handle. Shared mobility, logistics networks, and digital fleet management also open doors for services linked to tire performance data.
Environmental rules are another key factor. Governments and customers expect lower emissions, less waste, and more sustainable materials. Continental’s plans for carbon-neutral production and high shares of renewable and recycled content are both a challenge and a chance to lead.
Where Things Stand Now and What Comes Next
As of the mid-2020s, Continental is in the middle of a major reshaping. It has separated its automotive electronics and software activities into Aumovio. It has also signaled its intent to sell ContiTech and concentrate even more tightly on tires.
Short term, this means dealing with restructuring costs, accounting effects, and market questions. The company has reported losses tied to these changes, even when its core operations remain sound. Investors and employees alike are watching how the new structure performs.
Long term, Continental’s future will likely depend on its ability to build safe, efficient, and sustainable tires and related services. If it can match its rich history of innovation with modern demands for climate-friendly products and digital tools, it may stay a key player in mobility for many years to come.
Timeline of Continental AG
This timeline highlights important dates in Continental’s story. It shows how the company has changed over more than 150 years. Each point links to a key event or shift.
The early entries focus on the move from basic rubber goods to advanced tires. Later entries track acquisitions, restructurings, and efforts to address history and sustainability. Together, they create a simple way to see the main turning points.
The dates are rounded where needed when sources differ. When numbers were unclear, the focus stays on high-level events rather than on exact figures. This keeps the timeline clear and reliable.
1871
Continental-Caoutchouc- und Gutta-Percha Compagnie is founded in Hanover, Germany, as a rubber manufacturing company.
1882
The rearing horse logo is introduced and begins to appear on company products.
1892
Continental starts producing pneumatic bicycle tires, a first in Germany.
1898
The company launches pneumatic tires for motor vehicles as cars begin to spread.
1904
Continental introduces a car tire with a patterned tread, improving grip and safety.
1929
Continental merges with other firms to form Continental Gummi-Werke AG, expanding its rubber operations.
1933–1945
Under Nazi rule, Continental becomes a key supplier to the war economy and uses forced labor; this period is later examined in depth by historians.
Late 1940s
The company rebuilds its damaged sites after the Second World War and resumes tire and rubber production.
1987
Continental acquires General Tire in the United States, strengthening its position in North America.
2004
The group acquires Phoenix AG, expanding its industrial rubber business that later becomes part of ContiTech.
2007
Continental buys Siemens VDO Automotive, greatly expanding its automotive electronics and systems activities.
2008–2012
The global financial crisis and tension with the Schaeffler Group create financial and governance pressure, followed by gradual recovery.
2010s
Continental ranks among the top global automotive suppliers, combining tires, electronics, and industrial products.
2020
The company publishes the results of an independent study on its role during the Nazi era and its use of forced labor.
2021
Continental spins off its powertrain business as Vitesco Technologies, which becomes an independent listed company.
2024
The tire division announces progress toward carbon-neutral production at selected plants and higher use of renewable and recycled materials.
2025
Continental completes the spin-off of its Automotive group sector as Aumovio and moves toward a more tire-focused structure, with plans to sell ContiTech.
Sources: Continental, Continental Tires, Wikipedia, Reuters, Financial Times, AnnualReports.com, Bärbel Miemietz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
