Continental Showcases Safety Technology on 2006 Jeep(R) Commander

- ESC among the vehicle's Continental-supplied safety features -

NEW YORK, March 24 -- Continental continues its leadership in safety technology supplying many of the safety features found on the new 2006 Jeep(R) Commander, unveiled this week at the New York Auto Show. The Commander is equipped with Continental's electronic stability control (known as Electronic Stability Program at the Chrysler Group) and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).

"Chrysler Group has recognized the benefits of these life-saving technologies and we are proud to be a partner on this vehicle," said Bill Kozyra, president and CEO, Continental Teves North America.

The Jeep Commander becomes the fifth Chrysler Group vehicle to feature Continental's electronic stability control system. Using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, the Jeep Commander's electronic stability control program, detects vehicle instability and determines the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments to help keep the vehicle on the road. Studies have shown that electronic stability control significantly improves driver control and reduces the risk of single vehicle crashes in passenger cars by 30-35 percent and single vehicle SUV crashes by 67 percent. Evaluating only fatal crashes, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration found ESC was associated with a 30 percent reduction for passenger cars and 63 percent for SUVs.

The Jeep Commander comes equipped with ERM, the next step in vehicle stability control, to help prevent rollover crashes from occurring. ERM monitors when a driver is about to enter a potential rollover situation, detects the danger, and works to keep the vehicle on all four wheels. The system rapidly applies the brakes with a high burst of pressure to the appropriate wheel(s) to interrupt the rollover before it occurs, potentially reducing the chance of a crash, and in turn, saving lives.

Electronic stability control and ERM are features of Continental's MK25e electronic brake system. The MK25e on the Commander is the latest in anti- lock brake sophistication, providing a more refined system response. The MK25e, first featured on the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, prevents the vehicle's wheels from locking during braking and provides increased vehicle stability. This next-generation electronic brake system is smaller, lighter and more cost-effective to produce than its predecessor. First launched by Continental in 1984, electronic brake systems have achieved 80 percent weight reduction and nearly 90 percent cost reduction over the past two decades.

In addition to the electronic brake system, Continental will supply the Jeep Commander with serpentine belts and brake boosters and master cylinders.

With 2003 sales of approximately $13 billion (US), Continental AG 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/ .