The ContiEuropeanRoadshow’s interactive exhibition, which will tour through 17 countries in 2024, brings tyre solutions for trucks, buses, and vans directly to the customer while offering a blend of travel logs, country-specific information for haulage companies, and insights into the latest trends and technologies through its roadshow blog.
Continental’s Year Long Tour
A show truck from Continental has been on the road for nearly a year, bringing the ContiEuropeanRoadshow to partners and customers throughout the continent. The tour is taking the tyre manufacturer’s team to more than 30 countries, covering a distance of over 50,000 kilometres (approx. 31,000 miles) in the process. The technology company is showcasing innovative ideas for efficient, eco-friendly transportation in tomorrow’s world at customer events, trade fairs and industry get-togethers, such as the ADAC Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Following a winter break, the roadshow is now embarking on its second leg.
A Finger on the Industry’s Pulse
In March 2024, the Continental show truck is visiting the Netherlands, where its itinerary includes stops at business partner Volvo. Here, visitors can look forward to up-to-the-minute information, talks and roundtable discussions on key issues affecting their business. This is thanks to the interactive exhibition on board the show trailer covering five themes: lowering operating costs with the LODC consultancy approach, special tyres for vans, fifth-generation commercial vehicle tyres, digital solutions for tyre and fleet management, as well as solutions for increasing fuel efficiency and sustainability, such as retreaded tyres.
“We are exhibiting products and services that are designed to help our fleet customers tackle the enormous challenges facing the industry,” says Tansu Isik, Head of Fleet Solutions EMEA at Continental Tires, whose responsibilities include the ContiEuropeanRoadshow. The first year of the roadshow enjoyed a consistently positive response: “Both our customers and colleagues in the markets appreciate us going directly to them,” explains Isik. “The show truck plays host to an incredibly diverse and beneficial range of meetings and encounters. Here, we are providing a unique platform for discussing the crucial questions that haulage companies, tyre dealers and vehicle manufacturers are asking themselves.”
Ronny on the Road
Another person thrilled by the roadshow is Ronny Nittmann, the professional truck driver responsible for safely guiding the powerful tractor unit with its valuable trailer to each destination en route. In 2023, he had already clocked up over 20,000 kilometres (approx. 12,500 miles) across a total of twelve countries, during which time he was on the road for 14 weeks – starting in the Baltic region and Poland, continuing through Scandinavia and finishing up in Turkey.
“I met so many friendly and interesting people. Together with the team from Continental, we managed to solve all the problems along the way,” says Nittmann. In the Continental roadshow blog, he compiles a genuine, up-to-the-minute report of his experiences—with the occasional twist of humour. The tyre manufacturer also uses this multilingual corporate blog to provide information on technological trends and the logistics industry in various countries.
Stops Scheduled for Another 17 Countries, Starting in April
The ContiEuropeanRoadshow schedule for 2024 is sure to hold plenty more exciting stories and encounters in store. After Easter, it moves to Spain and Portugal before continuing to Italy, Austria and Switzerland in May. Stops will follow this in France, Czechia, and Slovakia before the show truck again calls in at the ADAC Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, held on July 11–14. In Autumn, the roadshow will head toward southeastern Europe, passing through Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Visitors to the industry’s two leading trade fairs in Germany – Automechanika in Frankfurt am Main (September 10-14) and IAA Transportation in Hanover (September 17-22) – will also have a chance to experience the ContiEuropeanRoadshow.
