Continental, a technology company focused on safe mobility, has expanded its Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) production line at its Bangalore plant. This expansion aims to meet the growing market demand in India and significantly increase production capacity. The new line, launched with an initial capacity of 3.3 million wheel units per year, reflects Continental’s commitment to advancing vehicle safety and supporting local and export markets, primarily Korea.
The new TPMS line features fully automated processes with minimal manual intervention, advancing Continental’s smart manufacturing initiatives. Ramnath Sivaraman, Head of Motion Technologies and Services at Continental Automotive India, stated, “Keeping in mind the growing demand and the evolving market needs, Continental has expanded the existing TPMS line. This validates Continental’s perseverance to meeting the rising demands for advanced, and affordable safety technologies. The launch of this second-generation TPMS will contribute to cleaner mobility and further advance vehicle safety by ensuring optimal tire pressure.”
The second generation of TPMS offers more accurate measurements of tire pressure, temperature, and motion from within the tire. It transmits this information via radio frequency to the vehicle’s communication network, displaying it in the instrument cluster. This precise and timely data is crucial for maintaining optimal air pressure, ensuring vehicle safety, and improving efficiency.
Focus on localisation and smart manufacturing
Phanindra Karody, Head of the Bangalore Plant at Continental Automotive India, emphasised the company’s focus on localisation. “Continental continues to focus on localization. The newly expanded TPMS line also features cutting-edge smart manufacturing processes, including collaborative robots (Cobots) and digital traceability systems. This expansion of the line emphasizes our commitment to scaling up production to meet both local and global demands. Over the ensuing three years, the plan is to further expand capacity of our TPMS line and double our production to back our growth. This will further support Continental’s efforts in making mobility even safer, eco-friendlier and more comfortable.”
The expanded line will initially assemble wheel units locally, with plans to localise child parts in the second phase. The new TPMS technology provides substantial benefits, including optimised tire usage, enhanced driving safety, lower CO₂ emissions, reduced fuel consumption, and extended battery range for electric vehicles. Advanced features such as ‘problem tire’ localisation and user-friendly smartphone apps like the Filling Assistant and Tire Data enhance its value for consumers.
Sustainability and efficiency at Bangalore plant
Continental’s Bangalore plant, its largest electronics manufacturing facility in India, exemplifies a smart factory. The plant incorporates technologies like Cobots, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, automated replenishment systems, automated optical inspection, automated guided vehicles, and big data applications. These innovations ensure operational efficiency, precision, and transparency, providing a strategic advantage in rapid localisation and faster product-to-market solutions. The plant is also Green Plant Label Gold certified, aligning with Continental’s sustainability goals.
Commitment to vehicle safety and environmental goals
Continental’s expansion of the TPMS line underscores its dedication to vehicle safety and environmental sustainability. By integrating advanced technologies and focusing on localisation, the company aims to address the evolving needs of the automotive market. The new TPMS line is expected to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness in vehicle maintenance, contributing to safer and more sustainable mobility solutions.
This expansion reflects Continental’s strategic vision of advancing vehicle safety and efficiency through innovative technologies and smart manufacturing processes. As the demand for advanced safety technologies grows, Continental’s enhanced TPMS production capabilities will play a crucial role in meeting these needs, both locally and globally.