Continental beefs up R&D

Continental, the international automotive supplier, plans to increase its India headcount over the next five years to meet growing demand. “This year we plan to increase R&D staff strength in India by 30 percent,” says Claude d’Gama Rose, managing director, Continental Automotive Components (India). “Continental will focus on our growth potential especially in the BRIC countries. India is one of the key future markets for the company,” he adds. Earlier, Continental announced an objective of above-average growth in Asia. In 2009, the company increased its sales in Asia so that it makes up 14 percent of its sales from the region. Six of Continental's divisions currently operate out of eight locations in India. These locations inlcude Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Manesar and Pune. In 2009 Continental established a Technical Centre in Bangalore. Together with engineers contracted from its engineering partners, this Centre now provides services of more than 600 highly skilled Indian engineers to Continental’s global organisation.