Continental: Driving Business Growth and Innovation in the Tyre Industry

How can Continental’s Australian market-specific tyres revolutionize the driving experience for electric vehicle enthusiasts?

Mitchell Golledge, the Head of East Region Asia Pacific for Continental, is leading the charge in driving business growth and innovation in the tyre industry. With a background in a down-to-earth vocation and a Master’s Degree in Business and Marketing, Golledge brings a grounded perspective to his role. Recently, GoAuto had the opportunity to chat with Golledge about Continental’s new MC7 performance tyre and other industry issues.

The new MaxContact MC7 tyre from Continental is set to hit the market on June 1, offering premium performance at a similar price to its predecessor, the MC6. Mitchell Golledge, Head of East Region Asia Pacific for Continental, emphasized that the MC7 is a dedicated tyre suitable for electric vehicles, with a particular focus on reducing rolling resistance to optimize an EV’s efficiency. This makes it an ideal choice for any driving enthusiast.

Continental faces competition from other major premium tyre companies such as Michelin, Bridgestone, and Goodyear. However, Golledge remains confident in Continental’s ability to meet the demands and expectations of the Australian market. He believes that their Australian market-specific tyres, with their quality and design, set them apart from parallel imports that may not meet the same specifications.

Golledge is not only focused on business growth and innovation but also on sustainability. As a director of Tyre Stewardship Australia, he is actively involved in developing solutions for end-of-life tyres. The organization aims to increase the use of locally tire-derived products in sectors like rail, roads, and civil engineering. While progress has been made, Golledge acknowledges that more needs to be done to find new uses for old tyres in Australia instead of sending them overseas for alternative purposes.

When it comes to parallel tyre imports, Golledge is not overly concerned. He believes that educating retailers about the benefits and specifications of Continental’s Australian market-specific tyres will help combat the competition. While parallel imports may offer different specifications for driving in cold or icy conditions, Golledge is confident that Continental’s tyres are tailor-made for the Australian market.

In terms of pricing, Golledge notes that tyre prices have not experienced significant inflation post COVID-19. Factors such as the price of raw materials, exchange rates, and freight costs impact tyre manufacturers. While raw material prices may fluctuate, freight costs have decreased dramatically from the height of the pandemic. However, the drop in the exchange rate for the Australian dollar offsets some of those cost reductions. Despite these challenges, Continental has remained competitive in the market.

Continental’s global manufacturing plants, which are transplants of German facilities, are a testament to their commitment to quality. Currently, their top-performing plant is located in China, with other nearby plants in Malaysia and Thailand. This global presence allows Continental to deliver German-engineered tyres of exceptional quality and reliability.

• The new MaxContact MC7 tyre will be available from June 1 at a similar price to the current MC6.
• The MC7 is a dedicated tyre suitable for electric vehicles, with a focus on reducing rolling resistance and optimizing efficiency.
• Continental faces competition from other premium tyre companies, but Golledge is confident in the quality and specifications of their Australian market-specific tyres.
• Golledge is also involved in Tyre Stewardship Australia, working towards productive solutions for end-of-life tyres.
• Parallel imports of tyres are not a major concern for Continental, as their Australian market-specific tyres meet local demands and expectations.
• Tyre prices have not risen significantly post COVID-19, due to factors such as raw material prices, exchange rates, and freight costs.
• Continental’s global manufacturing plants produce German-engineered tyres of high quality, with their top plant currently located in China.

Continental, under the leadership of Mitchell Golledge, continues to drive business growth and innovation in the tyre industry. Their new MC7 performance tyre, designed with electric vehicles in mind, offers reduced rolling resistance and improved efficiency. With a focus on meeting the specific demands of the Australian market, Continental remains confident in their ability to compete against other premium tyre companies. Golledge’s involvement in Tyre Stewardship Australia showcases their commitment to sustainability and finding new uses for end-of-life tyres. Despite challenges such as parallel imports and fluctuating costs, Continental has maintained competitive prices and a strong global manufacturing presence. The future looks promising for Continental as they continue to lead the way in the tyre industry.