Continental Opens China Test Center

Continental officially opened its new test center in Yangcheng, located in the Jiangsu province of China on July 8. According to the company, the center will serve as a base for focusing on product development and technical support in the region.

Continental employees at the Yancheng center will work alongside those at the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) to test and evaluate tires and other products Continental makes including automotive components like hydraulic brake systems and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The new facility includes offices and test workshop and is housed in a building that covers 2,500 square meters.

CATARC is a science research institute that belongs to the Chinese government’s SASAC and was established in 1985 to help the nation manage the national automotive industry. The institute plays an active role in determining automotive standards and technical regulations and is involved in conducting tests for the automotive industry. In January 2016, Continental had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with CATARC to strengthen the long-term relationship between both parties.

Speaking about the new test center, Frank Jourdan, president of Continental AG’s Chassis & Safety pision said that the opening of the center reflects Continental’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market and its drive to cater to Chinese customers with advanced research capabilities and cutting-edge technologies. He expressed his hope that the new test center will play a part in bringing the most advanced safety technologies to China and help the government achieve its goals in terms of road safety and Vision Zero.

“Continental is one of our important partners, whom we have cooperated with in different areas for many years,” shares Li Zanfeng, general manager of CATARC Test Proving Ground Yancheng. “Undoubtedly, the joint investment on the test center Yancheng is another milestone of the strategic cooperation which will enhance the cooperation in the area of automotive safety.”