Return to the Agricultural Tyre Business

The production facility has been built according to ergonomic guidelines, whereby lifting devices are used to transport the agricultural tyres.

• First standard tyres Tractor70 and Tractor85 now available, expansion of the product portfolio in the next few years
• Top-quality production in Lousado, Portugal
• Decades of experience in agricultural and specialty tyre business provide a solid foundation
• Communication campaign with a focus on farmers

Hanover/Lousado, September, 5, 2017. Continental is returning to the agricultural tyre business with its first premium radial tyres for agricultural operations of the new portfolio. "Re-entering the agricultural tyre business is an important step for us on the growth path of the tyre division," says Nikolai Setzer, member of the Executive Board of Continental AG and head of the tyre division. "Over the past few years, we have been able to successfully expand the specialty tyre business with the launch of port and earthmoving tyres. The agricultural tyre portfolio completes the product range for off-road use."

Robust standard tyres Tractor70 and Tractor85 for maximum efficiency of agricultural machinery

With Tractor70 and Tractor85, Continental is launching two standard tyres for tractors. The tyres both display extreme robustness and durability, while at the same time ensuring a high level of driving comfort, gentle ground handling and traction. They feature a new bead technology and are made of an innovative nylon material, for a patent is pending under the name N.flex. The tyres bear the 'Engineered for Efficiency' label, which means that they are designed to increase the performance of agricultural machinery and the quality of their work, while reducing the resources deployed. After the launch of the standard tyres Tractor70 and Tractor85, the Continental tyre portfolio is to be expanded to a total of 100 sizes by the end of 2019.

Production in Lousado with state-of-the-art production technology

At the same time as the market launch of Tractor70 and Tractor85, Continental is also starting agricultural tyre production at its site in Lousado. The state-of-the-art production facility was set up in less than two years with an investment of 49.9 million euros. It is adjacent to the passenger car tyre production facility, which is one of the most efficient within the Continental Group. Continental has also set up a test and development centre at the new agricultural tyre production site, where the agricultural tyres are tested for quality and developed further.

More than 70 years of experience in agricultural tyre production

Continental’s re-entry into the agricultural tyre business will rely on its own in-depth knowledge of the development, production and distribution of specialty tyres. At the same time, the tyre manufacturer benefits from decades of experience in the agricultural tyre business: the first tow tyre was produced in 1928 and until 2004 radial tyres were produced in the Czech town of Otrokovice. For this reason, Continental still enjoys a good reputation in this market.

With heart and soil: Campaign focuses on the farmer

The communication campaign accompanying the market launch combines passion with technical expertise and innovation and reflects Continental's strong customer focus. It emphasises the devotion farmers have for their job and highlights the soil as the origin of the farmer’s harvest and yield and how it is optimally protected by Continental tyres.