Conti parts outearn tires.(Suppliers)(Continental Automotive Systems)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)

Byline: Edmund Chew

Continental is more of a diversified supplier than a pure tire maker because making parts is a bigger and more profitable business, says CEO Manfred Wennemer.

Hannover-based Continental Automotive Systems supplies automakers with braking, adaptive cruise control, air suspension and sensor systems.

It is Continental's largest division, accounting for just over 40 percent of sales last year. That's more than either car tires - 33.1 percent of sales - or commercial vehicle tires at 11.5 percent.

More importantly, parts accounted for [euro]312 million, or 45 percent, of the group's operating profits of [euro]694 million in …