Continental has announced a significant expansion of its tire manufacturing plant in Rayong, Thailand, aiming to boost production capacity by an additional 3 million units per year. The expansion is part of a gradual investment plan totaling over 300 million euros (approximately 13 billion Thai Baht), with the support of Thailand’s Board of Investment under the Investment Stimulation Measure for Economic Recovery Scheme. This investment will create around 600 new jobs over the coming years, reinforcing Continental’s commitment to Thailand and the broader Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The Rayong facility currently employs over 900 people, and the expansion is set to bolster Continental’s ability to meet the growing demand for premium tires, including those designed for electric vehicles, in Thailand and across the APAC markets. Dalibor Kalina, Head of Continental’s Business Area Replacement Tires in the APAC region, emphasized the importance of the expansion, stating, “Our latest capacity expansion in Rayong reflects our strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region, one of Continental Tires’ strategic growth markets. With our increased production capacity, we will meet the demands of our customers even better, locally in Thailand, and regionally in the Asia-Pacific markets.”
The Rayong plant is a key player in Continental’s global tire production network, supplying both original equipment for vehicle manufacturers and tires for the replacement market. Vignesh Devasenapathy, Plant Manager at the Rayong facility, highlighted the plant’s versatility, saying, “We take great pride in being a very versatile and reliable part of Continental’s global tire production network. Our latest expansion is a significant milestone in addition to this year’s anniversaries of 15 years of tire business in Thailand and five years of tire production in Rayong.”
In 2023, Continental’s Rayong plant equipped all of the top five highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers in the APAC region with original equipment tires, positioning itself as a leader in meeting the needs of this rapidly growing market. Rayong is also among Continental’s largest global production hubs for motorcycle tires.
The Rayong facility is noted for its high energy efficiency standards, featuring advanced production technologies and automated logistics processes. With a photovoltaic system boasting a capacity of 6.7 megawatts peak, the plant covers 13 percent of its annual electricity needs through renewable energy sources, aligning with Continental’s commitment to sustainable production.
This expansion is part of Continental’s global strategy to invest in sustainability, digitalization, and automation across its 20 tire plants in 16 countries. The company continues to focus on developing innovative technologies, alternative materials, and environmentally friendly production processes, while striving to enhance the efficiency of its logistics operations worldwide.
