Continental Teves Ramps Up Supply of Electronic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control(TM) to Meet Demand from Ford Motor Company

- AdvanceTrac(TM), Roll Stability Control(TM) to be Standard on Four 2005 Models -

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 5 -- Continental Teves, a unit of Continental AG and a leading supplier of automotive safety systems, is stepping up its supply to Ford Motor Co. of stability control systems for five 2005 models. AdvanceTrac(TM) with Roll Stability Control(TM) (RSC(TM)) technology is an active stability enhancement that builds upon existing stability control systems on the market today. For the 2005 model year, AdvanceTrac(TM) with RSC(TM) is standard equipment on Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln Aviator and also is available on Ford Expedition. RSC(TM) is a new safety technology that helps to reduce the likelihood of a rollover.

"We commend Ford Motor Co. on making AdvanceTrac(TM) with RSC(TM) standard on these top-selling SUVs, recognizing the immediate safety benefits of this advanced technology and giving Ford a significant competitive advantage," said Bill Kozyra, president and CEO, Continental Teves North America. "This is proven life-saving technology that can help drivers in critical driving situations."

Recent studies from the University of Iowa, Europe and Japan, show that electronic stability control systems increase driver control by 34 percent and reduce single-vehicle crashes by 30-35 percent. If data from these independent studies were extrapolated to the United States, it becomes apparent that we could save between 5,000 and 8,000 lives a year in this country.

AdvanceTrac(TM)

AdvanceTrac(TM), an electronic stability control (ESC) technology, uses sensors to monitor steering wheel angle, wheel speed, the vehicle's yaw rate and other factors every seven milliseconds (about once every four inches of travel at 30 mph) to determine if the vehicle is following the driver's intended path. If the system detects the car is about to fishtail (oversteer), the system applies braking to the outside front wheel to help the driver stabilize the car. If the system detects the front of the car is drifting to the outside of a turn (understeer), it applies similar braking to the inside rear wheel. The AdvanceTrac(TM) system also will reduce engine power, if necessary.

But even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It's always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input in given conditions.

Roll Stability Control(TM)

Roll Stability Control(TM) was co-developed by Ford and Continental Teves, with Ford taking the lead, and was first introduced on the Volvo XC-90 in 2002. The RSC(TM) software is integrated into the brake controller, which includes the ESC system. RSC(TM) adds new functionality over the base ESC system. A gyroscopic sensor continuously monitors vehicle roll rate and feeds this data into the system's microcomputer, allowing the vehicle to defensively react to the possibility of a rollover.

The RSC(TM) system continuously calculates if the vehicle may be approaching a situation where rollover is probable and applies preemptive action. When activated, the RSC(TM) system adjusts the brake torque at specific wheels. By adjusting brake torque, the system can reduce the cornering forces and therefore, the roll moment acting on the vehicle. Direct measurement of the vehicle's roll motion affords the RSC(TM) system the unique ability to continuously tailor the vehicle's response to the specific demands of the driving condition.

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/ .