Continental : Growing Faster With New Mobility Services

• Forceful extension of digitalized mobility initiated
• Ralf Lenninger to be the new head of Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
• Werner Köstler to lead 'Strategy and Business Development for Mobility Services'
• Dr. Karsten Michels responsible for Systems & Technology in the Interior division

Regensburg/Santa Clara, September 30, 2016. As one of the leading experts in vehicle systems and the digitalization of mobility, the technology company Continental, Hanover and Regensburg, Germany, is setting its course for accelerated growth in new mobility services. Along the company's digitalization roadmap, a new distribution of responsibilities has been implemented in support of this strategy.

Mobility services are in growing demand while the interconnectivity of vehicles with each other and with the traffic infrastructure is increasing. 'The trend toward digitalization is opening up a new market for mobility services. We see major opportunities for our accelerated, profitable growth in this market,' said Helmut Matschi, member of the Executive Board and head of the Interior division.

Mobility services are comprehensive solutions that integrate the users' traffic ecosystems. Examples include advanced traffic management, intelligent payment systems, maintenance management and road safety, as well as new technologies that are being applied far beyond vehicles.

'Our specific growth plan includes core elements such as eHorizon (electronic horizon) and 'Continental.Cloud' as an enabler of mobility services and solutions like vAnalytics, RVD (Remote Vehicle Diagnostics) or OTA keys as recently introduced services. I am fully convinced that with our new team's formation we will be able to significantly expand our range of products and services fast and successfully, pursuing our intended accelerated growth,' Mr. Matschi added.

Effective October 1, 2016, Ralf Lenninger (57), who is currently senior vice president of Interior Electronic Solutions (IES) will be appointed head of the ITS business unit, based in Silicon Valley, California. He succeeds Seval Oz who pursues new opportunities outside the company. At the same time, Dr. Karsten Michels (49) will succeed Ralf Lenninger as head of Systems & Technology (S&T), Interior division.

With regard to mobility services outside of the traditional automotive markets and proven product portfolio, Werner Köstler (50), head of the Interior division's Strategy and Transactions department, will be responsible for strategy and business development for mobility services in addition to his current tasks.

After studying electrical engineering and industrial engineering, Ralf Lenninger started his professional career at Siemens AG in the Integrated Circuits division in 1984. He then moved to the newly established Automotive Technology division at Siemens AG and managed the development of chassis activities. Before becoming head of the Interior Electronic Solutions department in 2007, he was responsible for areas including business with electric motors for automotive technology and for the customer Volkswagen as a key account executive.

Dr. Karsten Michels joined Continental in 2016. He started his career at Volkswagen AG in 1993. After several leading management positions within the Volkswagen Group, he joined Magna Electronics Europe as director of development for Europe. Prior to his new position at Continental he was head of development for the eCar Powertrain Systems business unit at Siemens AG.

Werner Köstler has headed the Strategy and Transactions department of Interior Electronics Solutions in the Interior division since 2014. He holds a master's degree in industrial electronics from TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) and also has an EMBA from Insead Singapore and Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. In 1992 he joined Siemens VDO. His professional positions have included managing the Chassis Electronic NAFTA and Body & Security units for tier 1 customers and heading the Body & Security business unit in Asia.