Continental's EBS portfolio includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for passenger cars and Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) for both passenger cars and two-wheelers. ESC ensures directional stability and steerability, while ABS prevents wheel-locking during braking, maintaining the vehicle's steerability. WSS provides essential signals for both ABS and ESC, further strengthening vehicle safety functions.
Sukhdeep Sandhu, Head of Safety and Motion, Continental Automotive India, emphasised the importance of safety. “Safety is non-negotiable. At Continental, we have consistently brought relevant technologies to the market for our customers, helping make vehicles and thereby our roads safer. Our expertise in active and passive safety systems is a key driver in reducing the number of traffic-related fatalities, injuries, and road accidents,” he said.
Sandhu also highlighted the company's strategic focus on localisation in India. “Localisation is at the core of the company’s strategy in India. Supported by legislations which have played a huge role in ensuring vehicular safety, we have been able to localise both production and R&D, ensuring greater value to our customers in the market. Customers in India are proactive in their adoption approach towards safety technologies,” he added.
Addressing India's road safety challengesIndia's road safety remains a critical issue, with more than 1.3 million fatalities and 50 million injuries occurring globally each year due to road accidents. In India alone, 53 accidents and 19 deaths occur every hour, making the local production and widespread adoption of safety technologies like ABS and ESC vital. ABS technology was mandated in India in 2019, with a proposal for ESC following in 2022.
The company’s efforts align with its global Vision Zero strategy, aiming for a world without road fatalities, injuries, and crashes through innovative safety technologies. Anudeep Garg, Head of the Gurgaon plant, expressed the company's ongoing commitment to enhancing its production capabilities. “We are proud to achieve this milestone and continue to focus on localisation.
As a Tier 1 supplier, we follow global manufacturing standards and have adopted several advanced technologies to create a digital shop floor. Additionally, industry 4.0 technologies enable us to not only maintain product quality and enhance efficiency but also to effectively streamline our supply chain."
"We aim to increase the manufacturing capacity of EBS and WSS in double-digit percentages in the next three years for both passenger vehicles and two-wheelers,” he said.
Localisation and expansion in India
Since 2016, Continental has heavily invested in localising the production of its safety components in India. Initial assembly lines for ABS and ESC systems for two-wheelers and passenger cars were set up in Gurgaon. In 2018, Continental began manufacturing ABS and ESC Electronic Control Units (ECUs) at its Bangalore facility. By 2019, the company had produced one million ABS and ESC ECUs at the Bangalore plant. In 2020, the Manesar plant achieved the milestone of producing 50 million Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS).
Further supporting its localisation efforts, Continental entered into a joint venture with Japanese firm Nisshinbo Holdings in 2022. This partnership focuses on localising the machining for valve blocks for Electronic Brake Systems (EBS) in India, underlining the company's dedication to manufacturing within the country.
Continental’s holistic local approach, covering every aspect from R&D to design and production, ensures that globally proven technologies are adapted to suit the local market. This strategy has made it easier to access safety products, significantly contributing to the increase in safety features across various vehicle segments in India.
Continental, a longstanding player in the automotive technology and industrial sectors, generated sales of €41.4 billion in 2023 and employs around 200,000 people across 56 countries and markets. In India, Continental has operated for nearly 50 years through various technology partnerships and joint ventures. Today, the company has approximately 10,000 employees in the country, spread across 12 locations, including six plants that serve the Indian market, along with a Technical Centre supporting global R&D.
Continental’s commitment to road safety extends beyond products to a broader vision of innovation and sustainability in mobility. This comprehensive approach has cemented its status as one of the largest manufacturers of WSS in India, supporting leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) domestically and exporting to other regions in Asia and Europe, the company said.
With its “in the market, for the market” approach, Continental ensures that its entire value chain is localised, providing significant cost advantages and scalability. This dedication to local manufacturing helps democratise vehicle safety features, making them more accessible across different market segments in India.
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