26.01.06 Continental AG becomes Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008TM in Austria and Switzerland

(Hanover/Berne, 26th January 2006). As part of its long-term marketing strategy for its premium tyre brand Continental, the company is becoming an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008TM, to be held in Austria and Switzerlandfrom 7th to 29th June 2008. "This top-level sponsorship will enable us to continue using football as the central communications platform to focus attention on our premium tyre brand Continental, after the 2006 FIFA World CupTM " explained Manfred Wennemer, Chairman of the board of Continental AG, speaking today at Berne's Stade de Suisse stadium. "Thanks to the positive experience gained through our sponsorship activities as an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World CupTM (starting in early 2003) and before that with the UEFA Champions League (from 1995 to 2000), we feel sure that we can achieve our main marketing objectives."

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As an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008™, Continental has also purchased broadcast sponsorship rights for live matches during the Tournament. The combination of broadcast and Event rights – including global UEFA EURO 2008™ related marketing programmes and access to tickets and premium hospitality – will ensure maximum exposure and impact around one of the world’s most exciting and successful football events.

"We are delighted to have found a partner such as Continental, who has already got extremely close links with football. We are also confident that for UEFA EURO 2008TM the levels of media coverage and interest of the general sporting public will outstrip even those lofty heights we reached with the hugely successful UEFA EURO 2004TM in Portugal. We therefore welcome Continental on board and look forward to a close and fruitful relationship", commented Lars-Christer Olsson, CEO of UEFA.

Hanover-based Continental, a leading international automotive supplier, continues to see its main marketing objectives as follows, according to Manfred Wennemer:

• To increase international awareness of the premium tyre brand Continental.
• To give the brand image a more emotional appeal.
• To clearly differentiate the brand from the competition through product exclusivity.
• To create even closer relationships with business customers.

Immediately after the 2006 FIFA World CupTM, the Continental corporation's entire product communication for its premium tyre brand Continental will switch to its sponsorship of the UEFA EURO 2008TM. Continental will of course once again be organising numerous promotional activities, giving business customers and consumers the chance to win tickets for the matches. The company has its own tyre distribution organisations in Austria (Traiskirchen) and Switzerland (Zurich) and is the market leader for replacement car tyres in both countries. On its website www.ContiSoccerWorld.com Continental will provide extensive information about events linked to UEFA EURO 2008TM and all other football activities throughout Europe.

Continental is the first of four official UEFA EURO 2008TM Sponsors with global rights to sign-up for the Event. These four Event Sponsors join the existing six UEFA EUROTOP partners who, as well as having global rights to UEFA EURO 2008™, also sponsor UEFA’s other Professional National Team Competitions – UEFA Under-21 Championships, UEFA Women’s Championship, and UEFA Futsal Championships.

The UEFA European Football Championship™, which begins on June 7, 2008 with the opening match in Basle, has grown into one of the world’s most successful sporting competitions. UEFA EURO 2004™ broke all records attracting an average of more than 150 million live viewers for each of the 31 matches, while the official website reached a new high with over 500 million page impressions.

The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of tyres, brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics and technical elastomers. In 2004 the corporation realised sales of EUR12.6 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of more than 81,000.

The tyre business unit is an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup GermanyTM and an Official Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2008TM. For further information visit the websites ContiSoccerWorld.com, www.conti-online.com and www.ContiFanWorld.com.