The facility, located in the Japanese city of Yokohama, has been established as part of the Continental Automotive Corporation (formerly known as Continental Teves Corporation) joint venture between Continental AG and brake assembly and component manufacturer Nisshinbo.

Upon the opening of the 11,000-square-metre Continental Engineering Center, Continental Automotive Systems reiterated its commitment to Asia, stating that it aims to raise its commitment and investment in the Asia market to the “next level” following decades of successful operation and development in a region Conti says is seen to be “key for the future of the global automotive industry.” Indeed, the very reason for establishing the Engineering Center in Yokohama was to bring the company’s products and services even closer to Japanese and Korean OEMs.

The centre incorporates the company’s engineers and testing equipment from existing company facilities in Yokohama, Chiba, Hamamatsu, and Hiroshima. One of Conti’s first priorities following the establishment of the new centre is to expand the Automotive Systems business by focusing on Advanced Drivers Assistant Systems, its Hybrid and Electronics business, as well as its core business of Electronic and Hydraulic Brake Systems, it said.

Conti intends to create 250 new engineer positions in the Yokohama-based engineering centre.