Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Division plans to build an engineering center in Shanghai, China. The center will consist of an office site with design and test labs in the Yangpu district of Shanghai, and an extension of Continental’s existing facility in Jiading. The latter facility will accommodate large-scale equipment for bench-testing products for powertrain and chassis, body and security, and hydraulic and electronic brake systems.

Together, the facilities represent a total capital investment of €48 million. They will be fully operational at the beginning of 2009 and provide employment for about 450 people with the potential to increase up to 600 by 2011. The Yangpu facility will serve as the Asian headquarters office for Continental Automotive Systems, ContiTech and Continental Tires.