Continental Addresses Industry Trends in Chassis & Safety Division

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of the market trend of inertial sensors being integrated into airbag control units across a majority of vehicle platforms by 2016 to support ESC functionality, Continental's Chassis & Safety division has established its Passive Safety & Sensorics (PSS) business unit.  The global PSS business unit, which will be globally headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, improves Continental's ability to address customer needs.  Additionally, this move creates Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as a stand-alone business unit to focus on creating innovative technologies that meet continued customer demand for advanced safety solutions.   

Dr. Bernhard Klumpp will lead the PSS business unit globally and Amit Kapoor will head the PSS business unit in NAFTA.  Friedrich Angerbauer takes over as head of the ADAS business unit globally and Christian Schumacher, formerly Continental NAFTA Director of Engineering, Systems & Technology, will lead the NAFTA ADAS business unit.  

The creation of the PSS business unit combines the expertise and strengths of the Inertial Sensors and Occupant Safety segments to promote continued growth of market share through technological synergies for the company.  Continental is a top-three North American supplier of inertial sensors in stand-alone cluster, ESC-integrated configurations, as well as airbag control units.  The combined segments consolidate some diverse technical activities and Continental will continue to offer independent sensing capabilities to customers as well.

"Sensor technologies have been and will continue to be an integral component in passive safety advancements," said Kapoor.  "With the existing trends in the industry, this new business unit will encourage innovation synergies between segments and will provide more advanced, efficient and reliable technologies that enhance safety and the environment in order to meet the dynamic requirements of our customers."   

The new PSS business unit reinforces the Chassis & Safety division's systems approach and can provide integrated solutions for more safety in order to meet individual customers' requirements on a global scale.  The Advanced Sensors & Satellites segment, for example, offers sensors used in steering, chassis systems, in addition to sensors that monitor batteries.  It also offers acceleration and pressure satellites that provide all-around protection in case of an accident.  Satellites are an essential part of any passive safety system and act closely with the airbag control unit.  The Speed Sensors segment's product portfolio includes wheel speed sensors for ABS and ESC as well as engine and transmission sensors for determining position, speed and turning direction.

In conjunction with the PSS business unit, a concentration of business in an independent business unit for ADAS is essential for innovation and smooth market introductions of pioneering technologies such as stereo cameras, radar and other surrounding sensors.

"The way in which the automotive safety business has developed in recent years confirms that ADAS can become the engine of growth for our division," Schumacher said.  "Continental's aim is to reduce the number of fatalities to zero and advanced driver assistance systems are a critical component to reach that goal." 

Continental's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Support, Lane Change Assist, Intelligent Headlamp Control or Traffic Sign Recognition enhance road traffic safety and help drivers arrive at their destinations safely and less stressed.  Predictive surrounding sensors, such as cameras or infrared and radar systems offer drivers support, from warnings to active control in critical situations and are the enablers for future automated driving. The ADAS unit will continue its efforts on these and other supporting technologies for the global automotive market. 

Continental is one of the world's largest suppliers of ADAS technologies.

With sales of EUR 30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 167,000 employees in 46 countries.

The Automotive Group, with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately EUR 6.5 billion in 2011, 33,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately EUR 5.8 billion in 2011, 31,000 employees) and Interior (sales of approximately EUR 6.1 billion in 2011, 32,000 employees), achieved sales of approximately EUR 18.5 billion in 2011. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170 locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency.

The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and sensorics, washer systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and passive driving safety into ContiGuard®. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators, as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives. Information management is at the very heart of the Interior Division, which provides a range of products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic car-entry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.

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SOURCE Continental Automotive