Continental Tires, a leading global tyre manufacturer, has announced a Rs 100-crore investment plan for its Modipuram facility in Uttar Pradesh as part of a broader push to expand its footprint in the country’s fast-growing passenger and light truck (PLT) tyre segment.
With this move, Continental joins the ranks of global tyre majors who are stepping up operations in India to meet surging demand, particularly from the premium and utility vehicle (UV) segments.
Continental’s move comes in the wake of recent expansion plans by French rival Michelin, which announced a ₹564-crore investment plan to establish a new passenger car radial (PCR) tyre facility at its existing site near Chennai. Michelin said the move aligned with its “local for local” strategy to serve Indian customers.
India is seen as a strategic market within Continental’s Asia-Pacific operations. The investment will drive the expansion of its local ultra high-performance (UHP) and premium tyre offerings, with an emphasis on products tailored to the specific needs of Indian consumers.
“With our ‘in the market, for the market’ approach, we’re aligning our portfolio to reflect the evolving lifestyle needs of Indian drivers — from daily commutes to long-distance travel,” said Samir Gupta, Managing Director, Continental Tires India.
The announcement comes as India experiences robust infrastructure development and a sharp rise in demand for utility vehicles, now among the fastest-growing automotive categories. Continental plans to scale up production of larger-inch and ultra ultra high performance (UUHP) tyres specifically designed for SUVs, 4x4s and sporty vehicles. Later this year, it will also launch the CrossContact AT2, an all-terrain tyre, for the Indian market.
Continental’s presence in India spans manufacturing at Modipuram, a sales and distribution headquarters in Faridabad, over 200 branded retail outlets and a new IT hub in Bengaluru. The company is focused on strengthening its position as a premium tyre partner through localised manufacturing, customer-focused solutions and sustainable practices.
Globally, Continental Tires brings over 150 years of expertise in mobility. In 2024, the company reported preliminary global sales of €39.7 billion and employs roughly 190,000 people in 55 countries. Its tyre division alone generated €13.9 billion in sales and operates 20 production and 16 development centres worldwide.