35 countries, 15,000 kilometers: The interactive show truck visits customers in a large number of markets.
Drive Sustainably While Cutting Costs: Trends and Technology from Continental
Continental is helping fleet managers overcome obstacles such as the current challenging market conditions, rising cost pressures, strict emissions regulations, shortage of workers and unreliable supply chains, thanks to its wide portfolio of tyres and services. And from May 2023, the technology company will be showing customers throughout Europe what it has to offer – live in person with a roadshow.
The “Your Business, Our Solutions” Show Truck
The new-look show truck will be traveling to trade fairs, shows and commercial vehicle events in 35 different countries under the headline “Your Business, Our Solutions”. “The roadshow revolves around our comprehensive tyre management approach, which is rooted in the principle of Lowest Overall Driving Costs, or LODC for short,” says Enno Straten, Head of Strategy, Analytics and Marketing, Replacement EMEA Tyres at Continental. “Operational fleet costs affected by tyres account for over 50 percent of total costs.” Optimum tyre selection, data-driven servicing management and tyre retreading can reduce these outgoings substantially. “And this is what we want to focus on as we spread the word across Europe that: far from just being black and round, tyres hold great cost-saving potential,” continues Straten. “Our show truck features Continental’s latest products and solutions aimed at sustainability, efficient tyre management and digitalisation.”
The Roadshow Blog
The roadshow will start on May 2, 2023, heading to Latvia and then continue to Poland via Estonia, and Lithuania. Truck driver Ronny Nittmann, who works for the Hanover haulage company Böhm, will be driving the show truck the length and breadth of Europe, clocking up some 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) in the process. The 42-year-old will report on his experiences during his travels in the roadshow blog that will accompany the two-year tour. Here, haulage contractors, fleet managers, transport planners and fellow truck drivers will find the roadshow’s current ports of call, along with handy information on transport and logistics in the various countries, plus entertaining news items and surprising facts. Experts will share their know-how on truck, bus and van tyres, fleet management and tachographs, while also discussing the prospects for electric mobility in commercial vehicles.
Innovation Partner Designwerk
Also catching a ride will be Swiss company Designwerk, a Continental innovation partner and expert in electric commercial vehicles. The latest electric truck model from Designwerk – the High Cab Semi 6x2T – will be in action on some legs of the roadshow to demonstrate its considerable range.
In the Spotlight: Generation 5 Tyres and the Conti VanContact Ultra
The Continental show truck highlights all the key issues currently affecting the transport and logistics industry. Cost optimization and carbon emission reduction to meet the EU’s ambitious emissions targets are two of the most pressing challenges facing fleet operators throughout Europe. They are helped in their task by low-rolling resistance tyres that bring fuel consumption down to good effect. The new Conti Hybrid tyre line, recently awarded the Red Dot Award 2023 in the category product design, which is getting the ball rolling for Generation 5 tyres, also offers an increase in mileage of as much as 20 percent over the preceding generation. The Conti Hybrid HS5 and HD5 models will be available in all common sizes by the end of this year. The show truck will also be exhibiting the recently launched Conti VanContact Ultra. Designed first and foremost for last-mile deliveries, this tyre has an exceptionally sturdy sidewall ensuring excellent durability.
Co-starring: Retreading, LODC and Digital Solutions
Continental is also demonstrating the huge potential of the ContiLifeCycle concept with its show truck. Reusing tyre casings helps to cut costs. Retreading uses less raw material and produces fewer emissions than manufacturing a new tyre. Given the focus on total operating costs and sustainability, retreading of commercial vehicle tyres is therefore gaining in importance. The LODC approach (Lowest Overall Driving Costs) is another key topic of the roadshow. This consultancy concept for tyre management from Continental helps fleets bring down operating costs and keep them down. When it comes to fleet digitalisation, tyre monitoring and predictive maintenance, Continental comes to its customers’ aid with the ContiConnect package of digital solutions likewise presented in the show truck. Recording of tyre data – such as pressure, temperature, tread depth and tyre condition – marks the transition from pure tyre monitoring to asset management. The integrative ContiConnect platform sets out all data on a tyre’s condition and history within one system, allowing every tyre to be tracked individually. Users also receive alerts and recommendations for tyre pressure, temperature and tread depth, as well as when vehicle inspections are due. This paves the way for an even more efficient, straightforward, sustainable and forward-looking form of fleet management.
