Did you know that Continental was founded in 1871, 15 years before the first automobile?

Continental is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year as one of the biggest tyre and automotive tech suppliers in the world. Founded in 1871 in Hanover, Germany, Continental has developed itself from a local tyre manufacturer to a giant internationally-renowned company for the past 15 decades.

It is estimated that three out of vehicles on the road right now are equipped with Continental tyres or their automotive techs which involve around a billion folks around the globe. That's quite an achievement considering that they started things off by manufacturing horse “hoof buffers” and tyres for carriages and bicycles.

Below are some of their biggest achievements just to name a few:

• 1904 - First company in the world to produce automotive tyres with patterned threads
• 1909 - First to invent the detachable rim
• 1921 - First German company to produce tyres reinforced with pliable cords
• 1927 - First to launch pneumatic tractor tyre in Europe
• 1955 - First to develop air springs for trucks and buses
• 1966 - Launched Contidrom test track + more (many more)

Taiwan was the first Asia-Pacific location Continental Tyre entered in 2001 and two years after, Continental AG joint-ventured with Sime Darby Berhad as the Continental Sime Tyre Sdn Bhd. In 2012, Continental AG Germany bought 100% equity and transformed into Continental Tyre Malaysia Sdn Bhd which to date includes two big manufacturing factories with over 2,500 employees supplying tyres to several countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brunei, Thailand, and more.

Expect to see a lot more innovations from Continental Tyre in the near as well as distant future. We won't be surprised if they decide to launch self-inflating tyres or airless tyres plus other mobility tech that will change the course of the automotive industry yet again. Just look at their track record.