Continental and Hoosier Announce Strategic Alliance Partnership

FORT MILL, S.C. and LAKEVILLE, Ind., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The convergenceof the high-performance street tire and race tire industries took asignificant step forward today as Continental Tire and Hoosier Racing Tireannounced a strategic alliance based on a shared vision for motorsportsmarketing and race proven technology. By engaging the companies at themarketing, business and R&D levels, the alliance will allow both companies todrive new growth prospects, technologies and have the potential to ultimatelytransform a variety of motorsports platforms."This partnership will open the door for endless opportunities, which willbenefit both companies," said Bill Caldwell, Vice President of Sales andMarketing, Continental Tire. "The combination of Continental's expertise is inperformance street tires, and Hoosier's industry leading technology in racetire development will allow both companies to compete in new market segments.""The exchange of technologies will result in increased levels of performancein future product developments for both companies," said Joerg Burfien,Director of R&D - Americas, Continental Tire.The alliance will consist of Continental and Hoosier being strategic partnersfor advanced performance solutions and motorsports integration. A team ofindustry veterans has been formed and will be the driving force behind thecollaborative marketing, product development and implementation process. Bothcompanies will invest substantially into resources for the marketing, businessdevelopment and delivery of specific products. "We are working together because we believe it benefits both organizations byaffording opportunities for deep collaboration in marketing and businessdevelopment, allowing us to rapidly deliver high quality products to consumerswho are simply demanding the best tire for their investment," said DennisSherman, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Hoosier Racing Tire. "Togetherwe are better."With sales exceeding 24 billion Euro in 2008, the Continental Corporation isone of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems,systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation,infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers,the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection ofthe global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networkedautomobile communication. The corporation currently employs approximately133,000 at nearly 190 locations in 35 countries.Hoosier is the largest race tire manufacturer in the world. Hoosiermanufactures and distributes a complete line of racing tires for most types ofracing, including road, drag, oval, and kart applications. For additionalinformation on Hoosier Racing Tire and its line of high performance racingtires, log on to www.hoosiertire.com. Online media database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com;North America online media database: www.CTNAMedia.com , www.CTNAMedia.mobi. Hoosier Website address: www.hoosiertire.comSOURCE Continental Tire North America, Inc.Dana Zamalloa, Manager, PR and Communications, Continental Tire North America,Inc., +1-704-583-8165, dana.zamalloa@conti-na.com, or Mariellen Fagan,Director, Communications, Crowl, Montgomery & Clark, +1-330-494-6999, ext.201, Fax: +1-330-494-6242, mfagan@crowlinc.com, or Paula Nate, PR Manager,Hoosier Racing Tire Corp, +1-574-784-3152, Fax: +1-574-784-2385,pnate@hoosiertire.com