CHARLOTTE, NC (March 21, 2005) - Following the success of 2004's inaugural "Ultimate Road Trip," Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA) is sponsoring the "Ultimate Road Trip II," a rolling classroom featuring a series of educational seminars for drivers who own and operate their own trucks. CTNA is once again partnering with Arnold Transportation, one of the largest trucking firms in the U.S., to help educate independent truckers about managing their business, including how to finance their equipment and market themselves.

Gary Nichols, National Manager Fleet Sales for CTNA says, "After the resounding success of last year's program, we are very excited to be co-sponsoring a second, even better Ultimate Road Trip this year. At CTNA, we are always eager to find new ways to contribute to the success of the independent truck driver and on a larger scale, the entire American Trucking Industry. The Ultimate Road Trip is a great way to do that."

This year's "Ultimate Road Trip II" will be even larger than 2004's version, with stops planned at over 100 Truck Stops all over America as well as four different truck shows:

• Mid-America Trucking Show - March 31-April 2 in Louisville, KY.  West Wing booth #6941.
• Tennessee Truck Show - May 6-7 at the Tennessee State Fair Grounds in Nashville.
• Walcott Truckers Jamboree - July 14-15 at the Iowa 80 TA in Walcott, Iowa.  
• Great American Truck Show - August 25-27 at the Dallas Convention Center right next to the Pride and Polish.

Beginning on March 31 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, the official truck of the "Ultimate Road Trip II" will make its way around the country, closing its tour in Lafayette, LA on October 21. Click here to view the complete 2005 schedule.

At each stop, the classroom on wheels will host seminars on such topics as managing money, buying and maintaining equipment, developing a business plan and finding a good tax service.  Other topics include planning for retirement, medical insurance and dressing for success. New to the tour this year will be a driving simulator located inside the trailer.

"After a great response last year, we're looking forward once again partnering with CTNA for another Ultimate Road Trip," said Dick Follis, Director of Fleet Development for Arnold Transportation.  "It's a great opportunity to further the cause of existing owner-operators as well as attract more drivers to the industry. It's a winning situation for everyone."

About Continental Tire North America, Inc.

Continental Tire North America, Inc. (www.continentaltire.com, www.continental-truck.com), based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a group company of Germany-based Continental AG, a leading systems supplier to the automotive industry.  Continental Tire North America, Inc. has nearly 6,500 employees and operates six plants in North America.  It is a major supplier to the original equipment and replacement tire markets, selling Continental, General, Euzkadi, Semperit and private brands in North America.