MTD Mid-Year Q&A: New CEO Discusses What's Next for Continental

Continental Tire the Americas LLC is finalizing its “stand-alone strategy,” says Tansu Isik, the company's CEO, in this MTD exclusive. 

MTD: Can you bring us up to speed on Continental's performance in the U.S. so far this year? What have some of the company's accomplishments and challenges been?

Isik: Our business in the Americas region has shown solid performance in the first half of 2025. Our PLT and truck tire volumes have remained stable and we've maintained a consistent market share. While we’re beginning to feel some of the broader market headwinds as we approach mid-year — challenges that are impacting the entire industry — we remain focused and committed to sustaining our momentum through the second half of the year.

MTD: What's your assessment of both the PLT and TBR tire markets in the U.S., including demand? What are you hearing from your customers?

Isik: Volumes are holding steady, but the volatile macro-economic situation is producing some serious headwinds. This is giving us a little reservation about truck OE since shipping companies are also operating with some uncertainty. But we are keeping our eyes on things and continuing to be disciplined in our costs.

Our customers are telling us the dynamic environment is creating a clear impact on their businesses. They are navigating the situation the best they can as it develops. Our customers continue to focus on car counts and growing overall traffic in their stores and we are looking for opportunities to support them with our products and services.

MTD: In a recent financial report, parent company Continental AG detailed initiatives that it's taking to help mitigate the impact of the recently announced Trump tariffs. Can you discuss company efforts that are underway, specifically in the U.S. market, along these lines? Does having a robust manufacturing presence in the U.S. help insulate Continental from the potential impact of tariffs?

Isik: As mentioned during the global quarterly results call, we are currently reassessing our non-USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement)-claimed goods and taking a closer look at our customer agreements. Our relatively big U.S.-based manufacturing footprint continues to be a strategic advantage. At the same time, we remain focused on continuously improving and optimizing our supply chain operations.

MTD: How will the intended spin-off of ContiTech and Continental's Automotive business units benefit Continental's tire distributors and dealers in the U.S.?

Isik: The spin-offs ... will help us be the author of our own destiny. We will be able to make changes more quickly and we believe this will bring added value to our stakeholders. It showcases our continued commitment to tires. In today’s environment, increasingly shaped by geopolitical challenges and evolving supply chains, the ability to adapt has become a crucial competitive edge. Growing technological demands are adding pressure on companies to remain agile and outpace the competition. In this context, we have taken steps to prepare for the transformation. Internally, we will continue our disciplined approach to day-to-day operations. We will finalize our stand-alone strategy, which we are working on, and become a very valuable organization with a highly focused portfolio of products.

MTD: Continental is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its successful Gold Retailer associate dealer program, which encompasses around 2,500 dealers representing some 4,000 locations. How important is Continental's U.S.-based tire dealer network to the company and what investments are you planning to make in your U.S. dealer network?

Isik: Our commitment to our U.S.-based tire dealer network is unwavering. We are consistently working with our network to find solutions and evolve as the market shifts. It’s part of what has kept our Gold program so successful for the past 20 years. The dealer network is key to our business in the U.S., so we strive every day to keep communication lines open and improve upon the already outstanding programs we have.

We are also working to improve and invest in our distribution. We announced last year that we are building our first fully owned tire distribution center in the U.S. and I’m proud to announce that the project is moving along and expected to be operational next year. This warehouse will help us further improve our customer service levels and customer support by owning the full journey of a tire from manufacturer to distributor.

MTD: Are you planning to make any significant investments in your U.S. manufacturing plants this year or next? If so, can you provide a few details?

Isik: Tires from Continental stand for high performance and premium quality. Since 1988, when Continental first started manufacturing operations in the U.S., we have strategically and consistently enhanced the manufacturing footprint to support growth in the American market. This is integral to our overall success. Over the past decade, we have invested approximately $1.5 billion in the United States and we will continue to invest. America remains a key area of growth for our tire business. This continuous annual investment in the U.S. plants helps to guarantee efficient, sustainable, safe and productive environments for our team members and our customers’ needs.

Through our manufacturing plants, we continue to demonstrate our dedication to the tire market, as well as to the dealers and distributors who serve our end customers across the region. We see local manufacturing as essential to advancing our Vision 2030 strategy. More than 80% of our truck tires are developed and produced in the U.S., specifically for American customers — reflecting our strong commitment to supporting the local economy, protecting the environment and meeting the needs of end users.

MTD: What can we expect to see from Continental Tire the Americas LLC during the second half of 2025?

Isik: We will introduce two new tires soon. The Continental Secure Contact AW, an all-weather touring tire designed for passenger vehicles, CUVs and SUVs, will come in 50 sizes, fitting wheels ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches in diameter. Also launching in the second half is our VikingContact 8, a winter touring tire for passenger vehicles, CUVs, SUVs and light trucks. It will be available in 86 sizes, fitting wheels from 15 inches to 22 inches in diameter. The General Tire brand is also adding a product for law enforcement applications. The Grabber Justice A/T has been designed to fit the Ford Responder on its F150 platform. It will come in one size: LT265/70R18 113H.   

It’s an exciting time to be at Continental during this transition phase. Hopefully, our customers are excited to hear we are becoming a tires-only company and will be solely focused. We look forward to a future in which we can continue to grow our partnerships externally and create a winning culture for our employees internally