Continental AG will reclaim its agricultural tire brand from Mitas a.s. and start releasing radial ag tires in 2017, according to Tyres & Accessories.
Continental’s announcement cuts short the trademark license agreement it made with Mitas.
“Due the recent decision of the cartel authorities regarding the acquisition of Mitas, Continental is reclaiming its brand rights earlier than 2019 as contractually agreed, and can therefore introduce its agricultural tire portfolio under its premium brand,” Continental said.
Diving back into the agriculture tire market, Conti has announced an investment of €49.9 million to set up ag tire production capabilities at its Lousado, Portugal, plant.
“With this investment, we give a clear sign that Continental is once again active as a premium manufacturer in the agricultural tire sector with our premium Continental brand,” said Nikolai Setzer, head of Continental’s Tire division. “In Lousado, we have an excellent location and a highly motivated and experienced team, which manufactures cutting-edge radial tires in a state-of-the-art production facility for the demanding agricultural sector.”
In addition to plant investment, the tiremaker is also investing €2.5 million in a new R&D center at Lousado.
While we have to wait until next year to see the first Continental agricultural radials come out of the factory in Lousado, the tiremaker already produces cross-ply agricultural tires in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.