Continental had lots of new aftermarket initiatives to talk about at Automechanika Frankfurt, including new product groups, such as sensors for driver assistance systems, chassis and steering components and high-pressure fuel pumps

Brand new to the Continental product range are multifunctional camera modules, Long-Range, ACC, and Blind Spot radars for large-volume production models from Mercedes, BMW, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Audi. This reflects the fact that more and more vehicles are now equipped with ADAS systems.  

Continental also announced a new programme of spare parts for chassis and steering at the show, including the important wheel bearing product group. This introduction is in direct response to workshop surveys which found that technicians would like to purchase such products from Continental.  

Rolf Sudmann, Head of Aftermarket in the Industrial Solutions EMEA business unit of the ContiTech group sector commented, "We now offer automotive technicians even more spare parts that workshop customers can immediately recognise as premium thanks to the Continental brand, so they know they are getting 100% reliable and durable products and a professional installation as well." 

Also new at the show were water pumps without control units, a practical and cost-saving option when the control unit of the old water pump is still fully intact. The range of belt drive kits, where all the parts needed for installation are delivered in a bundle with the belt, has also been further expanded, most recently with a new timing belt kit developed specifically for the belt-in-oil technology requirements of Ford’s 2.0 EcoBlue engine. 

Continental has also significantly expanded its engine management and fuel supply ranges, particularly with fuel pump units as well as exhaust control valves, mass air flow sensors, and other sensors for engine management. The expansion will include around 700 part numbers by 2025. 

Sustainability was also a key focus in Frankfurt, where Continental premiered CONTI NXT Multi V-belts with almost two thirds sustainable materials. This is the world’s first Multi V-belt to use tension cords and fabrics made from organic fibres and bio-polymers from renewable raw materials, such as recycled bottles. It demonstrates how it will be possible to power auxiliary units in cars using renewable raw materials and recycled materials. The CONTI NXT range will be available in the spring of 2025, initially in 25 different types for the most common repair needs.