Company Overview of Continental Tire the Americas, LLC

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC celebrated a significant milestone in the construction process of its Greenfield site in Sumter, South Carolina as the last steel beam of the basic structure was secured in the 1 million-square-foot production facility. Construction continues to remain on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. By early 2014, the plant is expected to begin production and will eventually reach a production capacity of approximately five million units per year by 2017. A second phase is expected to bring the plant's full production capacity to approximately eight million units per year by 2021. Altogether, CTA will invest more than $500 million into the Sumter plant.

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC introduced the company's newest luxury performance all-season replacement tire to dealer shelves, the PureContact(TM). This premium tire brings together best-in-class wet braking, fuel efficiency and ride comfort in a sleek design that is sure to give drivers the confidence they need year round. The PureContact(TM) features best-in-class wet braking with the help of EcoPlus Technology. Continental Tire's EcoPlus Technology improves treadwear while enhancing grip on wet roads thus promoting a shorter stopping distance. This particular technology also improves wear and fuel efficiency which can save the consumer money over the life of the tire. Drivers will also receive an extra measure of confidence with the inclusion of Tuned Performance Indicators. The Dry, Wet and Snow letters in the tread indicate the tire's optimal performance levels. Additionally, Continental's Comfort Ride Technology absorbs vibrations caused by road surface irregularities, giving drivers and their passenger's a smooth and enjoyable ride. The PureContact(TM) is backed by some of the strongest warranty programs and service contracts in the industry. This luxury performance tire has a 60-day customer satisfaction trial and a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty and a 72-month manufacturer's limited warranty program. The PureContact(TM) comes in a wide range of sizes from 15" -- 18" wheel diameters with a UTQG rating of 700 AA for H and V speed.

Continental Tire the Americas LLC announced plans to build a new tire manufacturing plant in Sumter County to meet growing demand from both the retail level and automotive manufacturers. The $500 million investment is expected to generate 1,700 new jobs in South Carolina over the next 10 years. The first phase of production capacity at the plant in this project is expected to be nearly 5 million tires when the plant reaches full production levels in 2017. A second phase of the project is expected to bring the plant's capacity to 8 million units per year by 2021. The new manufacturing facility will be located at a greenfield site off of U.S. Highway 521 in Sumter County.