Continental Tires Offers New Products - Tire Review

Conti Offering New Products, Consumer Warranty

It was a big year for Continental Tire the Americas’ Gold Dealer program with a record number of tire dealers qualifying for its 10th annual incentive trip. This year 304 dealers, including 31 new Elite dealers, sold more than 2,000 units in 2014 to attend a cruise through the Caribbean with a guest on March 23-29. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Conti’s 2014 Gold Dealer meeting was about turning the corner and becoming the dealer’s number one program. In 2015, Conti talked about how the tiremaker is continuing its work towards No. 1 status.

During Conti’s business meeting, the tiremaker recapped what it worked on in 2014, announced four new tires, a new website and new programs available to dealers.

Company executives also addressed results from a survey following last year’s meeting. Among top dealer concerns expressed in the survey were for Conti to increase supply, provide more OE fitments on domestic cars, expand the product line, increase brand awareness, provide more contact from sales reps and assist with the dealer’s profitability.

Addressing dealers concerns for more products, Conti is launching four new products in 2015 and has plans for more in the future.

“We will work very diligently to fill our product portfolio so you have more business opportunities with your customers and with us,” said Joe Maher, product manager for Continental.

New tires this year include the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 and the Continental Winter Contact SI, as well as the General Grabber Artic LT and the General Grabber HTS60.

The ExtremeContact DWS06 is an UHP all-season tire. It replaces the ExtremeContact DWS and will be available in 52 sizes, starting in May, with 87 sizes total by September.

The Winter Contact SI is a studdless winter tire for passenger cars, minivans and CUVs. The tire replaces the ExtremeWinterContact, comes in T and H speed ratings and will be available to order in spring 2015.

The Grabber Artic LT replaces the AltiMax Artic LT and is designed specifically for use by light trucks. The tire is pinned for studs and is rated for load range E. Tire dealers can start ordering the tire in spring 2015, with tires shipping in the fall.

The tiremaker also announced the General Grabber HTS60 will be available in 2015, but it did not provide any detail about the tire.

New in 2015, Continental will also offer a Total Confidence Plan to consumers for all of its P/LT replacement tires.

Total Confidence Plan offers flat tire roadside assistance, customer satisfaction trial, limited warranty, mileage warranty and road hazard, three-year complimentary flat change or towing up to 150 miles at no charge.

In addition, Continental is launching a credit card, starting April 1. Offered through Synchrony Financial, the new credit card offers customers six to 12 months special financing, convenient monthly payments, and the card is accepted at all U.S. Exxon and Mobil gas station locations.

Offering the card to customers offers dealers benefits as well, Continental said. With the deferred interest, the card can assist consumers in making a jump from purchasing a lesser expensive import tire.

“By putting that tool in the dealers hands, we’re hoping they can sell a more premium product for the consumer’s vehicle and satisfy the customer with better product,” Travis Roffler, director of marketing, told Tire Review. “Then it creates a loyalty reward program; when you get the bill in the mail that dealer has the opportunity to offer you other incremental offers at his dealership.”

Dealers who sign up a customer for the card will also see their name branded at the bottom of the credit card, Roffler said.

For more from the Continental dealer meeting, check out April’s Tire Review.

You May Also Like

Yokohama Rubber reveals 2024 motorsports activity plan

Yokohama said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands.

Yokohama-Nitrocross

Yokohama Rubber revealed its motorsports activity plan for 2024. The company said participation in motorsports activities is crucial to its efforts to strengthen the Advan and GeoLandar brands and is again participating in a wide variety of motorsports events around the globe, from top-category to grassroots events.

Yokohama Rubber will again supply its Advan tires to many teams participating in motorsports events, such as Japan’s Super GT, the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Yokohama Rubber’s GeoLandar tires will be supplied to teams participating in off-road races in North America and Asia, including the Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, the Mint 400 and the Asia Cross Country Rally.

Autel Energy Showcases EV Charging Solutions, Electrified Bronco at CES

At CES, Autel Energy showcased its suite of EV charging solutions and an electrified 1969 Ford Bronco.

Autel-U.S.-Enters-EV-Charging-solutions-Industry
2019 Newsmakers: Bridgestone Americas

Nearly all products in the Firestone family of tires have been upgraded over the past three years, and Bridgestone is on track to have all of its consumer tire portfolio across both the Bridgestone and Firestone brands either upgraded or replaced by the end of 2020.

Bridgestone-Newsmakers-800x400
2019 Newsmakers: Nokian Tyres

Nokian Tyres opened its first U.S. manufacturing facility and launched numerous new products. See what’s in store for 2020.

Newsmakers-Nokian-800x400
2019 Newsmakers: Nexen Tire America

Nexen Tire opened its North American Technology Center and debuted the Roadian GTX. Find out what’s in store for 2020.

Nexen-Newsmakers-800x400

Other Posts

How AI is being used in your shop

AI has been around in the aftermarket for over 20 years, making life easier for techs and shop owners without ever threatening their jobs.

TR-Continental-AI
TIA’s Advanced Farm Tire Service training to take place in June

The training class for technicians in the agricultural and farm tire industries is set to take place June 11-14.

TIA_training-
Three spark plug service and replacement tips

How to avoid and overcome roadblocks that may come up during the removal or installation of spark plugs.

Continental-sparkplug
Maxxis-sponsored athletes make podium, overall top 10 at Mint 400

Maxxis athletes Michael McFayden, Ethan Ebert and Trey Gibbs had podium finishes at the Mint 400 on Maxxis RAZR XT tires.

2024-mint400-maxxis