Continental Automotive Systems Awarded Six Contracts To Supply Electronic Stability Control For Future General Motors Vehicles

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 3, 2005 -- Continental Automotive Systems has been awarded six contracts by General Motors to supply electronic stability control (ESC) for several future vehicle programs. Continental currently supplies electronic stability control (ESC), which GM markets as StabiliTrak, and antilock brake systems (ABS) for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice.

"Continental is proud to supply General Motors with advanced systems for its new products," said Bill Kozyra, president and CEO, Continental Teves North America. "This business speaks to our ability to provide components that manage vehicle dynamics and enhance stability, and is a testimony to our technology leadership and engineering excellence."

Using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, ESC detects vehicle instability and determines the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments to help keep the vehicle on the road.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have shown that ESC significantly improves driver control and reduces the risk of single vehicle crashes in passenger cars by 30-35 percent, single vehicle SUV crashes by 67 percent, and reduces fatal single vehicle crashes by about 56 percent. The IIHS concluded widespread application of ESC in the vehicle fleet could save as many as 7,000 lives per year. General Motors announced that it will apply StabiliTrak to all of its passenger vehicles by 2010.

With 2004 sales of approximately $15.6 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. and is a leading global supplier of quality automotive systems that contribute to driver safety, comfort and peace-of-mind. For additional information, visit our media website http://www.contitevesna.com/index2.htm .