Continental Showcases Smart Car That Recognizes Circumstances That Require Action - Video Enhanced Story

Driver assistance systems integrated with improved brake technology give driver the power to respond to the unexpected

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 26 -- Continental today continued its technology leadership by showcasing a drivable prototype of a new generation of cars with safety components linked for optimum performance. The company announced that two leading automakers have commissioned the company to undertake advanced design work on integrating various elements of its comprehensive safety solution, the Active Passive Integration Approach concept for a vehicle that helps prevent crashes.

"We are in the business of delivering major safety enhancements, not conceiving bells and whistles to wow technology enthusiasts," Continental Automotive Systems Vice President Joe Gaus said.

"We led on Electronic Stability Control (ESC) by making the compelling case to the safety community, the health community and, importantly to our customers, that it could significantly reduce crashes, help prevent rollovers, and save lives."

"Three years ago, many thought that we were jousting at windmills. But our system was right for the times, there was remarkable data to back up its performance, and the orders are coming in to prove it. People know a good thing when they see it, or in this case drive it," he added.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported recently preliminary findings that ESC reduced single vehicle SUV crashes by 67 percent. The NHTSA study also found that ESC reduced single vehicle crashes in passenger cars by 35 percent. Evaluating fatal crashes only, the NHTSA found ESC was associated with a 30 percent reduction for passenger cars and 65 percent for SUVs.

Ford Motor Company recently added electronic stability control as standard on all Explorers, Mountaineers, Aviators and Navigators, Honda has made it standard on its light trucks, Toyota has made it standard on its SUVs and another major manufacturer will soon make a similar announcement.

"We are producing products that are in the cars and SUVs parked in your garage, now. A decade ago we saw the future and made a fundamental business decision to make the future happen. Ours is a total systems approach to vehicle safety that addresses current public policy needs, offers our customers a marketing advantage and provides drivers a much improved experience," Gaus added.

Gaus introduced what for now is being called the Active Passive Integration Approach (APIA) car. It features coordinated electronic reflexes to help drivers maintain control and avoid crashes or mitigate injuries and protect the occupants if a crash is inevitable. The idea is a comprehensive safety solution, rather than bolted on components, that envelops the driver and enhances the driving experience.

"The car features electronic reflexes that network both active and passive vehicle safety systems, and provides operating support to the driver by monitoring traffic situations, recognizing circumstances that require responsive action, and initiating staged hazard response strategies."

These new systems enrich the driving experience by making people safer and more comfortable. The safety advances that the "smarter vehicles" bring are crash avoidance benefits. "Active and passive safety measures must be networked in order to reach the objective we all seek -- the avoidance of crashes, if possible, and when crashes are not avoidable, significant reduction of fatalities and injuries," said Gaus.

"We make products that make a difference in personal safety and driving enjoyment," said Gaus. "While technology is our passion, safety is our business. We see motor vehicle safety with three dimensions: Avoidance, control and protection. We are in the business of all three and look to offer total safety solutions."

Continental Automotive Systems, headquartered in Frankfurt/Main Germany, is a unit of Continental AG, Hanover, Germany. With 2003 sales of approximately $13 billion (US), the Continental Corporation is a major supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical rubber products. Continental Automotive Systems' North American operation is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. For additional information, visit these websites: http://www.conti-online.com/ and http://www.contitevesna.com/ .