Reiterating its commitment to automotive safety in India, technology company Continental has announced the formation of a joint venture with Japanese firm Nisshinbo Holdings. The new JV will localize machining for valve block meant for Continental’s Electronic Brake Systems (EBS) in India. The EBS portfolio includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for passenger cars and Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) for passenger cars and 2-Wheelers.
Under the JV, Nisshinbo will provide machining for producing valve block for ABS and ESC units, which later gets assembled into a complete unit at the Gurgaon plant (Continental) with the integration of ECUs that are manufactured in Continental’s plant in Bangalore. With this, Continental is further increasing the localized content in EBS production from India. This will enable it to better serve the Indian automotive market, where the demand for EBS is vast and growing, thanks to growing consumer awareness and the efforts of industry and government.
Continental and Nisshinbo’s relationship dates back to about 40 years through various business collaborations. The first association was formed in 1982 through a technical license agreement, signed between Alfred Teves (now part of Continental AG) and Nisshinbo. In 2000, another notable joint venture was established between Continental and Nisshinbo in Japan, which saw a 20th-anniversary completion in 2020.
Continental has been a pioneer in EBS technology with a manufacturing range of ABS and ESC including products such as MK100 ESC for the passenger car market, the one channel MK100 MAB and MiniMAB, and three-channel MK 3-2 MAB for the 2-wheeler market. The JV will support in supplying the valve block for these products.
The new joint venture gives Continental additional advantages of an optimized supply chain, ease of doing business, and further improved diversified global market position. The localization of ABS manufacturing will also help create opportunities, in keeping with Continental’s commitment to the Indian market.
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation. In 2020, Continental generated sales of €37.7 billion and currently employs more than 192,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.
The Nisshinbo Group, as an Environment and Energy Company Group, will supply solutions to address global environmental problems, which represent the biggest challenge to human society. Utilizing the diverse technologies that we have accumulated so far, we are engaged in the electronics, automobile brakes, precision instruments, chemicals, textiles, and real estate business with Mobility, Infrastructure and Safety, and Life and Healthcare as our three strategic business domains.
Continental India: The company has been present in India for close to 50 years through technology partnerships (Continental Tires since 1974) and joint ventures for its various businesses. Today, the tier 1 automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner operate across India – with about 8,000 employees across 13 locations, including seven plants that cater to the Indian market and a Technical Center that supports Continental’s global R&D activitie
