Continental Increases Profitability in Tires and ContiTech

• Consolidated sales of €4.4 billion (Q1 2025: €4.9 billion, -10.4 percent); organic growth of -0.9 percent
• Adjusted EBIT of €522 million (Q1 2025: €492 million, +6.1 percent)
• Adjusted EBIT margin of 11.9 percent (Q1 2025: 10.7 percent)
• Net income of €200 million (Q1 2025: €68 million, +196.5 percent)
• Adjusted free cash flow of €35 million (Q1 2025: -€216 million)
• CEO Christian Kötz: “We had a good operational start to the year, increasing our profitability in both Tires and ContiTech compared with the same quarter of last year”
• CFO Roland Welzbacher: “It will take time for recent changes in raw material prices to have an impact on us. We are analyzing and assessing the situation and, where necessary, are taking measures to safeguard earnings”
• Outlook confirmed despite current geopolitical developments: consolidated sales of around €17.3 billion to €18.9 billion; adjusted EBIT margin of around 11.0 to 12.5 percent

Hanover, Germany, May 6, 2026. Continental started 2026 with a good first quarter. The Tires and ContiTech group sectors both increased their adjusted EBIT margins compared with the same quarter of last year, despite burdens from tariffs and exchange-rate effects. Adjusted free cash flow was also up year-on-year. By contrast, the economic environment and weak global markets hampered sales growth. Even against the backdrop of current geopolitical developments, the DAX-listed company has confirmed its full-year outlook. For 2026, Continental still expects consolidated sales of around €17.3 billion to €18.9 billion and an adjusted EBIT margin of around 11.0 to 12.5 percent.

“We had a good operational start to the year, increasing our profitability in both Tires and ContiTech compared with the same quarter of last year. This gives us momentum. At the same time, geopolitical developments are creating greater uncertainty for consumers and for the economy as a whole. This is why we are continuing to work hard on increasing our competitiveness,” said Continental CEO Christian Kötz in Hanover on Wednesday. 

Significantly improved profitability within the Continental Group

In the past quarter, Continental achieved consolidated sales of €4.4 billion (Q1 2025: €4.9 billion, -10.4 percent). Before exchange-rate effects and changes in the scope of consolidation, its organic sales were down 0.9 percent. The adjusted operating result amounted to €522 million (Q1 2025: €492 million, +6.1 percent), corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 11.9 percent (Q1 2025: 10.7 percent).

Net income in the first quarter amounted to €200 million (Q1 2025: €68 million, +196.5 percent). Adjusted free cash flow was €35 million (Q1 2025: -€216 million).

“We increased our profitability and our adjusted free cash flow in the first quarter. In particular, we benefited from our focus on high-margin products, strict cost discipline and lower raw material costs compared with the same quarter of last year,” said Continental CFO Roland Welzbacher, adding: “It will take time for recent changes in raw material prices to have an impact on us. We are analyzing and assessing the situation and, where necessary, are taking measures to safeguard earnings. We are confirming our financial outlook for the current year.”

Key figures for the Continental Group

The table shows the figures for continuing operations in the reporting and comparative periods. Only net income attributable to the shareholders of the parent as well as the corresponding figures for earnings per share refer to the Continental Group as a whole, comprising continuing and discontinued operations.

1 Before changes in the scope of consolidation.

2 Before amortization of intangible assets from purchase price allocation (PPA), changes in the scope of consolidation, and special effects.

3 Capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment, and software.

4 Net indebtedness / EBITDA over the past 12 months.

5 Pro forma leverage ratio: EBITDA adjusted for the impact of -€680 million from divestments relating to the Aumovio spin-off and valuation effects relating to the sale of Original Equipment Solutions (-€157 million).

Tires increases earnings and profitability

In the first quarter, the Tires group sector achieved sales of €3.3 billion (Q1 2025: €3.4 billion,
-4.7 percent). Sales were negatively impacted by exchange-rate effects in the low triple-digit million euro range. Its adjusted EBIT margin was up year-on-year at 14.4 percent (Q1 2025: 13.4 percent). Contributing to this improvement were the upward trend in the replacement-tire business, the successful business in large passenger-car tires measuring 18 inches and above (ultra-high-performance tires), lower raw material costs than in the same quarter of last year and a strong focus on costs.

Numerous awards in recent independent tire tests underscore Continental’s leading position in the premium tire segment. The PremiumContact 7 summer tire, for example, was named test winner by Auto Zeitung and the Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC. The SportContact 7 also impressed, receiving the “exemplary” rating from the AUTO BILD sportscars editorial team. These successes confirm the high quality and performance of Continental tires.

With its new Conti Hybrid HT 5 trailer tire, Continental has completed its hybrid tire family for regional freight transport. Specially developed for the demanding conditions of distribution transport, the tire offers 15 percent higher mileage than its predecessor and enables fuel-efficient operation thanks to optimized rolling resistance. An innovative tread technology also provides improved grip on wet and cold roads.

Furthermore, the tire manufacturer reached an important milestone in its sustainability strategy at the start of the year, fully phasing out coal and heavy fuel oil across all tire production sites. Since January 2026, all plants have been using alternative energy sources to generate the steam required for manufacturing tires and heating. These alternatives – including biomass, biogas, electricity from renewable sources and alternative fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas – ensure a constant supply of energy.

ContiTech with an adjusted EBIT margin of 7.9 percent

In an ongoing weak market environment, ContiTech improved operationally and increased its profitability year-on-year. The group sector achieved sales of €1.2 billion (Q1 2025: €1.5 billion,
-24.4 percent). The decline in sales was mainly due to the sale of the Original Equipment Solutions (OESL) business area at the beginning of February 2026 as well as negative exchange-rate effects. ContiTech’s adjusted EBIT margin was 7.9 percent (Q1 2025: 6.2 percent). Excluding the OESL business, the adjusted EBIT margin would have been 8.7 percent. This positive development was driven by a focus on high-margin products, a strong trading business and lower raw material costs. The measures taken to safeguard earnings also had a positive impact. 

ContiTech is also strengthening its location in Weißbach (Baden-Württemberg, Germany) with an investment of several million euros in a new gravure printing machine for surfaces used in the furniture and building components sector. This planned step to expand and modernize surface manufacturing will increase the location’s production capacity. Once fully ramped up, the new machine is expected to produce more than 75,000 square meters of surface film per day – roughly equivalent to the area of 10 soccer fields. Despite challenging economic conditions, ContiTech expects demand for surface materials to grow over the long term, driven in particular by window and facade manufacturers. For this reason, ContiTech is investing across the entire surface manufacturing value chain.

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist that develops and produces sustainable, safe and convenient solutions for automotive manufacturers as well as industrial and end customers worldwide. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of around €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

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