"Continental's mission is to provide highly developed, intelligent technologies for both the individual mobility of the Chinese people and a better quality of life," said Dr. Ralf Cramer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental AG and President & CEO of Continental China. "Our drive in China is to invent, develop, produce and market indispensable, customized technological solutions that shape the five mega trends of mobility in China." he added.
Urbanization: growing cities and changing mobility Patterns
With the improvement of infrastructure in China, mobility patterns start changing with urbanization. ContiTech, a division of Continental Corporation, is participating in this trend with its high-tech air suspension systems. It is precisely in underground railways, commuter railways, local, regional and high-speed trains as well as buses, trucks that their benefits become readily apparent. In Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Zhengzhou and many other cities, people are provided with the safety and comfort from ContiTech's most up-to-date railway transportation solutions. People using the CRH1 and CRH3 bullet trains are benefiting from the technologies provided by ContiTech.
Safety & Health: fundamental element of a high standard of living
Considering the large volume of traffic and longtime people spend in cars, road safety and health inside/outside the vehicles have become a major challenge. Continental helps to build a healthy and accident-free society in China with various products and solutions. The terms Sense, Plan, Act define the fields in which Chassis & Safety products significantly determine driving as such and illustrate its competences in covering the whole range of the chain of effects. The icon "eye" stands for products that are responsible for the perception (Sense) of the vehicle state and its environment, such as innovative sensors for pedestrian protection, wheel speed sensors, short and long range radars or Surround View solutions. The "brain" is a symbol used for the derivation of possibilities for action and necessary decisions (Plan), as they are made by various electronic control units like the Electric Power Control Unit. "Foot and Pedal" are depicted as the final icon representative of all those innovations that lead to an action to be performed (Act), which is a direct intervention in the control of the vehicle. Examples at the booth include air suspension systems, the electro-hydraulic brake MK C1 and an electric drum brake.
Continental is also a leading global tire manufacture with offerings of safe yet user-friendly tire products. Its international design team develops patterns and sidewalls for global products, while a tailor-made design will be applied to meet the different consumer requirements in the local market. Continental Tires with its premier performance, such as ContiSilent technology and ContiSeal™, ensures a safe and functional driving experience.
Environmental Protection: reducing pollution and saving energy
Refining the turbocharger technology plays an important role in the enhancement of combustion engines, and in pollution reduction and energy saving. Recently Continental supplied the world's first water cooled turbocharger with aluminum turbine housing in passenger car. Besides optimizing combustion engines, the electrification of the powertrain plays also a key role in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. At Auto Shanghai 2015, Continental Powertrain Division will showcase its "48 Volt Eco Drive" system that bridges the gap between entry-level hybridization and high-voltage hybrid solutions. As a first step, this product is scheduled to go into production in 2016 with a European customer, followed by Asian and North American customers.
Individual Mobility: China to become a leader in e-mobility
China has the opportunity to become a leader in e-mobility, and Continental's comprehensive and customized solutions contribute to this advancement. Continental develops and produces a broader and more efficient range of diversified solutions and provides them to the Chinese market.
The Passive Start and Entry Systems (PASE) for a comfortable and convenient hands free access have been in high demand for many years. The next generation offers enhanced vehicle access and start with innovative technologies (Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication) via the use of smart devices, such as smartphones or smartwatches. Continental has also developed electronic brake systems for scooters and motorcycles of all classes based on its tried-and-tested passenger car ABS technology. ContiTech's drive system, which uses innovative belt technology instead of conventional chains on pedelecs and eBikes, offers a lighter, cleaner and more powerful pedaling experience.
Information Society: Connected society with the largest Internet population in the world
China already has the largest community of Internet users and also a fast growing number of smart phone users. This symbolizes another trend in mobility - "Always On". Continental's Interior Division aims to make tomorrow's vehicle always on, user and environmentally friendly, comfortable and intelligent. In order to achieve this, Continental integrates the key functions for the information society in the vehicle.
Among other things this is demonstrated with the latest generation of the locally developed Multimedia Radio Navigation System for Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, which already offers cloud based services specifically tailored to Chinese drivers. For the future of infotainment Continental is developing its open infotainment platform, as well as exciting and easy to use ways to integrate the smartphone in the vehicle such as wireless power charging. The company also manages the information between the vehicle and the outside world with cutting-edge technologies: for example LTE Connectivity and the connected eHorizon, a control unit, which anticipates the road ahead using digital maps and cloud based information. In order to enhance the experience between driver and the vehicle, Continental introduces the brand new hybrid cluster.
Other examples for this approach are the diagnostic and service tools for the China OE application. Intuitive, easy-to-use diagnostic tools, individually engineered special tools and technical instructions, as well as manuals designed to help increase efficiency offer OEMs an innovative full-range solution for successful workshop service activities.