1979

Takeover of the European tire operations of Uniroyal Inc. With the acquisition of four production plants in Belgium, Germany, France and Great Britain. Continental gains a wider base in Europe. This link-up means a major advance in internationalization.

1983

Unveiling of the ContiTireSystem for passenger cars. Thanks to its runflat capability, the system is used today on special personal security vehicles. Continental hydromounts - special bearing elements used in engines for isolating vibration and noise - are mass-produced for the automotive industry.

1985

Takeover of the tire operations of the Austrian company Semperit. The newly formed Semperit Reifen AG has production facilities in Traiskirchen/Austria and Dublin/Ireland. The Irish plant is closed in 1996.

1987

Acquisition of General Tire Inc., Akron/Ohio. The US tire maker has four plants in the USA, one in Mexico, as well as participations in South America, Africa and Asia. Since 1991 Continental, General Tire and the Japanese tire companies Toyo and Yokohama, have cooperated in a joint venture,and have been making commercial vehicle tires for the North American market. At the beginning of 1995, the name of the company changed to Continental General Tire, Inc. In 2001 the company was renamed Continental Tire North America Inc.

1988

With the purchase of the French Anoflex Group, a leading hose coupler, the ContiTech Group takes an important step in widening its European base.

1989/90

Takeover of National Tire Service Ltd. (NTS), which, with over 400 outlets, is the second largest tire dealer network in the UK. Including various companies like Vergölst, the corporation now has about 3,000 retail and franchise outlets in Europe. Continental and the Portuguese company, Mabor, set up a joint venture for the production of tires in Lousado/Oporto. 1993 sees the complete takeover of the tire activities and of ITA (Indústria Tnullxtil do Ave), a factory that makes textile cord.

1991

Industrial Products operations are reorganized into 29 legally independent companies under the ContiTech brand name. This group has production locations not only in Germany, but also in Chile, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. With its ContiEcoContact tire, Continental is the first manufacturer to launch an environment-friendly passenger tire featuring special fuel-saving and high-mileage benefits. Advances on this concept are meanwhile available for almost all European vehicles.

1992

Complete takeover of Nivis Tire, the Swedish tire manufacturer. Gislaved and Viking brands, are now incorporated in Continental Däck Sverige AB.

1993 Joint venture with the Czech company, Barum. The majority holding comprises a passenger and commercial vehicle tire plant in Otrokovice as well as a dealer organization with about 50 outlets.

Göppinger Kaliko GmbH, Eislingen, merges with J. H. Benecke AG, Hanover. The new company, Benecke-Kaliko AG, is integrated into the ContiTech Group. Key products are vinyl coated fabrics, sheeting and moulded parts, such as car headlinings.