Continental Focuses on Active Safety at Convergence 2004

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 13 -- Continental, a leading supplier of automotive safety systems and technology, will highlight its active vehicle safety portfolio at Convergence 2004, being held Oct. 18, 2004-20 at Cobo Center, Detroit.

Jurgen Diebold, manager for Continental's active passive integration approach and advanced driver assistance systems, will deliver a presentation during the Active Safety panel discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 20, from 9:00 a.m. - noon in room O2-33. The presentation will focus on Continental's efforts to make driving safer and more comfortable by integrating active and passive safety measures through electronics to reach the objective we all seek -- the avoidance of crashes, if possible, and when crashes are unavoidable, significant reduction of fatalities and injuries. Diebold's presentation will recognize that integrating functional hardware and electronics is the key to delivering the "smart" vehicle of the future.

Continental also will highlight its active safety electronics portfolio in its display on the show floor, booth 748 in Wayne Hall, and experts will be available in the exhibit to discuss these and other technologies. Among the highlights of the display:

Continental's integration of active and passive safety links existing active safety systems such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, active rollover protection, adaptive cruise control and driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance, with passive safety systems, including seat belt pretensioners, seat adjusters and power window controls through an integrated network of electronics to help a vehicle avoid crashes and prevent injuries through the integration of these systems.

Electronic brake systems, including Continental's MK60E and MK25E, which demonstrate a higher level of integration of functions and system components providing additional functions to a simple electronic stability control (ESC) system with the comfort and performance features of future brake-by-wire systems.

Occupant safety systems, including airbag control and diagnostics units, crash sensing, occupant classification systems and pedestrian protection.

Hybrid vehicle developments, including the integrated starter alternator damper used on the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, along with a Continental-developed regenerative braking system for the Ford Escape and Focus hybrid vehicles.

Body and security electronics, featuring body control modules, power distribution modules and communication gateways for better in-vehicle electronics networks. Continental's anti-trap window module, a technology that helps prevent occupant injuries from power windows will also be on display. Additionally, sensorless position control for seat positioning, power window lifters, roof control units and other electrical positioning will be highlighted.

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/ .