Continental Showcases Key Technologies of the Future at Tokyo Motor Show 2011
Comprehensive products and solutions for Japanese market and for the future of safe and sustainable individual mobility
Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2011. Continental Corporation, one of the leading international automotive suppliers, today announces the highlights of the company following the theme of the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, “Mobility can change the world” held at the Tokyo Big Sight from December 3-11, 2011. "We are proud to be able to be part of the Tokyo Motor Show and to contribute with our solutions and products to this important automotive event in Japan. The Japan market is very important for us and we aim for further strategic co-operations with our Japanese customers" stated Dr. Ralf Cramer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental and President of Division Chassis & Safety. “Looking at automotive megatrends concerning safety, environment, information and affordable cars as well as E-mobility, we showcase a focused view on the technological future of individual mobility on our booth. Innovative driver assistance and brake systems, vehicle access, networking concepts, drive technology, sensors are just some of the innovations which Continental can offer", Dr. Cramer highlighted during the press briefing at the Continental booth.
“Our contributions to the future of individual mobility - greater safety and efficiency, a high degree of networking and enhanced comfort - will be characterized heavily by technological diversity and complexity. With our participation at this Tokyo Motor Show, focusing on automotive megatrends, we want to demonstrate that we are very well equipped for this challenge with our broad product portfolio and outstanding system expertise. Whether it is a combustion engine, hybrid drive, electric drive or fuel cell – we can provide high-quality products and system solutions to our Japanese customers in Japan and worldwide for all current and future forms of individual mobility,” emphasized Christoph Hagedorn, Head of Continental Japan.
In the “Safety” megatrend area of the booth, it is showcased the complete portfolio of active and passive safety solutions to achieve Continental’s ambitious goal “Zero Accidents”. With over 100 years of expertise in this area, Continental is continuously improving driving safety. With the stereo camera, Continental is taking a new approach to detecting vehicle surroundings. Since the stereo camera has two “eyes”, it can measure the distance and size of potential obstacles – something a mono camera cannot do. With this, a new generation of – literally – forward-looking emergency brake assist can be developed that will not only prevent accidents but also reduce the severity of accidents. This is presented at the booth in the context of the ContiGuard® safety concept, which comprehensively integrates active and passive safety systems.
Products and solutions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions are being presented in the “Environment” megatrend area. For example, the newly developed fuel quality sensor helps protect both the engine and the environment. The fuel injection system can be optimized by determining the fuel quality, among other things. The intelligent sensor will provide a starting point for adapting engine management. By integrating the sensor module in a vehicle and enhancing the engine controller software, it will become possible to compensate fuel quality variations, to optimize engine operation and to protect not only sub-systems but also the engine itself. Continental is concentrating on developing and manufacturing fuel efficient engine systems to meet the growing demands of tighter emissions regulations.
In the interest of reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions, the automotive industry assigns top priority to the development of light materials. And this is exactly where the recyclable, halogen-free interior foils from ContiTech division Benecke-Kaliko come into play. They are significantly lighter than established polyvinyl chloride product, for example they cut weight by 25 percent to 50 percent depending on the design. This is all down to the low density of the polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers which enables a weight reduction of more than 2 kg per vehicle. The foils also get by without any plasticizers at all, as the flexibility needed is created solely by the polymer mix. This ensures extremely low emissions and a healthy climate in vehicle interiors. Further potential for making engines consume less fuel and produce lower emissions comes from improving the drive belts. With the CONTI® UNIPOWER ECO2-FLEX, ContiTech has developed an exceptionally fluxurally flexible V-ribbed belt that reduces power loss when the ancillary unit is used. Fuel- and CO2-saving start/stop systems also employ high-performance V-ribbed belts from ContiTech.
The “Information” megatrend area is devoted primarily to vehicle access, networking and operating concepts. For example, a cell phone equipped with near field communication technology (NFC) is transformed into a “digital car key” that can both open the vehicle door and start the engine once the driver has got into the car. Continental is also offering Internet services that allow customers to personalize and configure their vehicle using a cell phone – from one’s favorite radio station and preferred seat setting to the desired ambient lighting. This is particularly useful for drivers who share their vehicle with others. This function is of interest in particular for innovative mobility concepts such as car-sharing since greater possibilities for personalization also make electric vehicle car sharing concepts more attractive for the users.
Products and solutions for the rapidly growing market for affordable cars are exhibited in the “Affordable Cars” area. Products such as the SPEED scalable airbag control unit, the EASY-U engine control unit or the Basic Function Controller were developed and produced in the emerging markets in Asia. These products feature minimalist, market-specific functions based on the latest technologies.
They were developed with the approach of “no compromises in quality, safety, sustainability or operating convenience”, and are tailored to customers and their regional needs.
Continental is also developing a wide-ranging product portfolio for safe, efficient and comfortable “E-mobility”. We have a worldwide network with roughly 1,600 specialists in battery system and electric powertrain technology, regenerative braking, rolling-resistance-optimized tires and interior applications. Numerous series orders are booked already for the 2009-to-2013 time span, roughly 90 series projects with 17 manufacturers’ worldwide involving components for electric and hybrid vehicles. These include key components, such as, for example, electric motors, power electronics, battery technology, instrumentation, telematics, regenerative brake systems, sensor systems and components for safe charging. Close to 60 percent of these projects are for components and systems for e-vehicles. A large share of these are developed and produced in Europe; products for some orders are manufactured in Asia.
Along the theme of “Mobility can change the world”, Continental proves again its leadership in the automotive megatrends by showing its comprehensive products and solutions for the Japanese market and for the future of sustainable individual mobility.
With sales of €26 billion in 2010, 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 164,000 employees in 45 countries.
