Continental Automotive Group focuses at IAA 2009 on driving safety for everyone, environment-friendly drive train technologies, a comfortable handling and continuous connectivity of the car as well as on affordable mobility.

Frankfurt am Main/Regensburg, Germany. The Automotive Group of the international automotive supplier Continental AG has centered its communication strategy at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show on the major issues facing the automotive industry of tomorrow. Meetings with customers and the media will focus on affordable developments for individual mobility worldwide, reducing emissions, safety in all vehicle categories and a comfortable handling of cars with full connectivity. Driven by its ambition to turn accident and injury-free driving (zero accidents), a mobility preserving resources and protecting the environment (zero emissions), and an intelligent and optimally interconnected road traffic (Always On) into reality, the Automotive Group offers its customers worldwide one of the largest product portfolios of the automotive supplier industry.

Continental's Automotive Group makes automotive technology affordable

Driving a car has to be affordable, yet safe, sustainable and at the same time the driver and passenger need to stay informed. Continental responds to this demand with a comprehensive, scalable product portfolio for a growing market of small and compact-sized vehicles in both emerging and industrialized markets. With a strong presence in all automotive markets, integrated local engineering networks, local production sites and a modular approach in components and systems integration, Continental provides cost-efficient, light-weight, small-size, and flexible product solutions.

Safety for everyone

"Safety for everyone" is the Chassis & Safety Division's guiding principle when it comes to scalable safety technologies. Advanced driver assistance systems also belong in smaller vehicle categories.

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"Safety for everyone" is the Chassis & Safety Division's guiding principle when it comes to scalable safety technologies. The development of 24 gigahertz mid-range radar will see advanced driver assistance systems installed even in smaller vehicle categories. The proximity sensor for the Emergency Brake Assist City can prevent rear-end collisions at up to 30 km/h. The sensor uses laser beams to monitor traffic conditions up to some eight meters in front of the vehicle. If vehicle spacing drops below a critical distance, braking is initiated automatically. The new MK 100 braking system can be scaled to suit anything from a motorcycle ABS system to ESC or other assistance functions. The Electronic Parking Brake stands for a lot of integration: Integrating the power electronics of the combined electric caliper with its integral actuators into the ESC control unit produces benefits in terms of cost and installation space.

Reducing emissions still further

Of particular significance in the process of reducing the CO2 emissions is Continental's turbocharger, offering potential fuel consumption savings of up to 15 percent.

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At the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show, vehicle manufacturers will be presenting studies based on electric motors. The Powertrain Division is already supplying lithium-ion storage batteries for series production and is also heavily involved in developing them for new hybrid and electric vehicle platforms. Power outputs of over 150 kilowatts (204 hp) are already achievable with Continental's modules for electric and hybrid drives. Work is also proceeding in parallel on optimizing the classical drive train. At the end of 2009, for example, Continental will start series production of the world's first electromechanical control system for dry double-clutch transmissions. Of particular significance is Continental's turbocharger, offering potential fuel consumption savings of up to 15 percent.

 Always On - en route to a continuously integrated network

The Division's new human machine interface and electronic system concept "Simplify your Drive" makes the task of driving the vehicle considerably easier.

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"Always On" stands for the vision, pursued by the Interior Division, of a continuously integrated network not just within the vehicle itself but actively incorporating the driver, the passengers and the outside world. In order to make this vision a reality, the Interior Division is constantly improving the networking of the various vehicle systems, providing clear user guidance with the help of sophisticated display systems and optimizing system integration with a view to reducing costs. The Division's new human machine interface and electronic system concept called "Simplify your Drive" gives the driver access to different vehicle characteristics, such as the sports, eco or comfort profiles, which make the task of driving the vehicle considerably easier. The Interior Division is also pushing on the integration of new electronic components in the affordable cars. For this segment, the Division can provide a wide range of control units and display systems which should also satisfy the demands of drivers in developing markets.