Continental AG today announced that it had scored another record-breaking financial performance as it continues its preparations for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany as one of the event's Official Partners.

The international automotive supplier has seen sales increase by 9.1 percent over the first nine months of 2004, to EUR9.21 billion, with net income rising by 75.8 percent and an expected operating profit of in excess of EUR one billion forecast for the full year.

Continued strong financial performances have made expenditures, such as Continental Tyres' EUR100m investment in the 2006 FIFA World Cup GermanyTM possible. As an Official Partner Continental will be maximising its involvement through an international marketing communications strategy designed to increase recognition of the brand throughout the world.

Brian Smith, Managing Director of Continental in the UK, explains: "Continental's ability to make an investment such as this is testament to our excellent business performance. The FIFA World Cup is a global spectacle and one that we believe will help us engage with existing and potential customers on an unprecedented scale - the 2002 FIFA World Cup was watched by over 30 billion people."

"Much of our promotional activity will be geared towards maximising this considerable opportunity and to that end we have heavyweight advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns planned to underpin our sponsorship. Also, in adding Alan Shearer to our World Cup team we have enlisted the support of a world class performer whose track record and ability speaks for itself."

"Alan's powerful on-pitch performances have consistently paid dividends for both club and country. We therefore feel he is the perfect ambassador for both the game and Continental Tyres."

The three-year FIFA World Cup sponsorship deal will see Continental branding appearing on perimeter boards at matches, on screens in stadia and on a wide variety of other media including official posters, tickets, match programmes and even online.