Continental $10 m Texas tyre test center to be functional by 2019

Continental has announced the investment of approximately $10 million in a new indoor tyre test center located in Uvalde, Texas, at the company’s U.S. based proving grounds. The test facility is expected to be fully functional in April, 2019. The investment in the tyre test center is a part of tyre division’s long-term strategy known as ‘Vision 2025’. “The new test center will support our vision of being the preferred technology partner for Continental’s Original Equipment customers for tyres, as well as increasing our speed in developing new technologies specifically designed for the Americas market,” said Dr. Boris Mergell, Head, R&D, Passenger and Light Truck Tyres, Continental. The new test center is designed to provide indoor test capacity for all tyres manufactured in Continental’s North and South American plants. “Our developments for Original Equipment customers in the Americas will be positively impacted, as we will be able to increase our testing capacity in the region,” said Dr. Juan Botero, VP, key account management for Original Equipment Passenger and Light Truck Tyres, Continental Tire the Americas. Based in Fort Mill, S.C., Continental Tire the Americas, LLC manufactures and distributes a complete premium line of passenger, light truck and commercial tires for original equipment and replacement markets.