Wennemer, when interviewed by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, also stated that Conti will increase the price of its replacement tyres early in 2007. Any new OE business the company acquires in Europe will also be charged at a higher rate.
The company plans to launch a low-cost range of tyres in the summer of 2008, according to Wennemer, adding that Conti has decided upon this approach to retain marketshare in the face of low-price Chinese and Korean tyre manufacturers.