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Press Release

Continental winter tires for buses

Safely through the winter

·  Conti UrbanScandanavia HA3: new winter tire specially developed for
city buses

·  HSW2 Coach provides up to 20 percent more traction on winter roads

Kortrijk, October 18, 2013. Safety takes top priority in passenger transport. The demanding range of jobs for buses in all seasons on cross-country, regional and city roads sets high requirements when choosing the right tires. The qualities of the bus tires are put to the test above all in winter.

The newly developed Conti UrbanScandinavia fully utilizes the advantages of a no-compromise tire configuration for city bus usage. As a winter tire for fitment on all axles of public transport buses, the new Conti UrbanScandinavia HA3 successfully asserts itself on typical wintry road surfaces thanks to a design featuring numerous gripping edges and sipes. Since public transport buses need to provide punctual services in a wide range of weather conditions from the early morning to late into the night, Continental recommends switching to these traction optimized tires for city buses in winter. The Conti UrbanScandinavia HD3 is available as a special drive axle tire for optimum traction in tough winter operations.

Herbert Mensching, head of Marketing and Sales Truck/Bus Tires for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) emphasizes: “Bus fleet operators choose a suitable solution from the Continental bus tire portfolio based on winter performance and also gain the advantage of tires that have been specially developed for passenger transport.”

Even if the lawmakers in some European countries only prescribe winter tires on the drive axle, Continental recommends using specially designed winter tires for buses on all axles.

They therefore represent an investment above all in the safety of the vehicle, driver and passengers in addition to keeping to the timetable and avoiding expensive downtimes.

A highly elastic pure natural rubber compound is used in the bus winter tires that does not harden until temperatures drop below minus 60° Celsius.

The softer compound increases the adhesion of the tires to the road. In conjunction with the winter tread, the improved grip is very noticeable in the cold season.

There is no winter break for tourist buses since many operators also serve ski resorts. Away from the freeway, snowy roads often have to be tackled in order to reach winter sports destinations — a classic job for Continental’s winter bus tires.

The premium tire manufacturer from Hanover already launched a special winter tire for tourist and regional buses with the HSW2 Coach back in 2010. It is suitable for use on all axles. Providing a gain in traction of up to 20 percent compared with conventional products, the Continental HSW2 Coach has set a record in its class.

Overview of Continental winter tires for buses:

For public transport buses: For long-distance buses:

Conti UrbanScandinavia HA3 275/70 R 22.5 Conti HSW2 Coach 295/80 R 22.5

Conti UrbanScandinavia HD3 275/70 R 22.5 Conti HSW2 Coach 315/80 R 22.5

Pictures: Continental winter tires for buses – safety for passengers, drivers and vehicles.

With sales of €32.7 billion in 2012, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires, and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 173,000 employees in 46 countries.

As one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers, with more than 42,000 employees, the Tire division achieved sales of €9.7billion in 2012. Today, the division has 22 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility.

The Commercial Vehicle Tire business is one of the largest manufacturers of truck, bus and commercial specialty tires worldwide.

Contact for journalists:

Anna Stuhlmeier

Press & PR

Commercial Vehicle Tires EMEA

Continental

Büttnerstrasse 25

30165 Hanover, Germany

Telephone: +49 511 938-2923

Fax: +49 511 938-2429

E-mail:

www.continental-truck-tires.com