At the IAA Transportation 2024 event, Continental unveiled two new versions of its fleet management system, ContiConnect Lite and ContiConnect Pro, designed to meet the varying needs of fleet operators. The new solutions aim to improve the efficiency and sustainability of fleet operations by offering customized digital tire management services.
ContiConnect Lite, positioned as an entry-level option, is a mobile app-based solution that allows users to experience tire management functionalities with minimal setup. In contrast, ContiConnect Pro offers a more comprehensive suite of tools, integrating predictive maintenance and digital monitoring to help fleets optimize their tire performance.
Clarisa Doval, head of digital solutions at Continental Tires, emphasized the importance of precise tire management in reducing costs and enhancing safety. She explained that replacing tires prematurely leads to unnecessary expenses, while delaying replacement can compromise safety, increase fuel consumption, and result in higher CO2 emissions. According to Doval, the combination of sensor-based tread depth measurements and predictive models within the ContiConnect system helps fleets improve both their operational efficiency and sustainability.
Continental’s ContiConnect is part of the company’s broader “Lowest Overall Driving Costs” (LODC) consulting strategy, which focuses on minimizing the total operating costs of fleets. While tire-related expenses account for around 2% of fleet costs, they have a substantial impact on fuel, maintenance, and repair expenses, which can make up nearly half of the total operating costs. By using high-quality tires and data-driven service management, Continental believes fleet operators can significantly reduce these costs.
The company has structured its ContiConnect digital tire management system into two distinct solutions. ContiConnect Lite offers an easy entry point into tire management, allowing users to monitor key tire data, such as air pressure and temperature, via Bluetooth using a smartphone app. This enables drivers to assess tire conditions before departure, improving safety and efficiency with minimal effort.
ContiConnect Pro, meanwhile, provides a full-featured solution for digital tire management. In addition to tracking tire conditions through a web portal and app, it delivers real-time warnings and maintenance recommendations, helping fleets anticipate necessary tire services. The system’s predictive maintenance capabilities enable fleets to address potential issues before they escalate, while also providing location tracking and vehicle status updates. This, in turn, streamlines fleet management processes, ensuring vehicles are maintained in peak condition.
Continental aims to offer fleet operators improved support with these innovations, enhancing both the longevity of their tires and the overall sustainability of their operations.