18-inch-and-above lineup to expand by end of 2027

UHP tires accounted for 55% of sales last year

Continental Tire plans to add more than 650 ultra-high-performance tire sizes of 18 inches and above by the end of 2027. [Provided by Continental Tire]
Continental Tire plans to add more than 650 ultra-high-performance tire sizes of 18 inches and above by the end of 2027. [Provided by Continental Tire]

Continental Tire announced Tuesday it will add more than 650 ultra-high-performance tire sizes of 18 inches and above by the end of 2027. The company plans to expand both its original equipment and replacement tire lineups in response to market shifts driven by larger, heavier and more powerful vehicles — particularly SUVs and electric vehicles.

UHP tires' share of global passenger car tire sales under the Continental brand rose 13 percentage points, from about 49 percent in 2020 to about 62 percent in 2025, according to Continental Tire. Across all brands the company sells, the share climbed from 41 percent to 55 percent over the same period.

The company said the growing prevalence of SUVs and electric vehicles in South Korea has increased the importance of load capacity, grip, braking performance and driving efficiency.

To keep pace with increasingly varied tire performance requirements, Continental Tire will expand UHP sizes across both its flagship Continental brand and its General Tire brand. The company said it aims to offer a broad product range suited to different vehicle characteristics and driving conditions, as automakers continue to release models with varying levels of power, efficiency and ride comfort.

The SportContact 7, a leading UHP tire also sold in South Korea, has ranked in the top three in 27 of 29 international comparative tire tests since its launch, winning first place in many of them. The company said the tire has earned high marks particularly for its short braking distances and stable handling on both dry and wet surfaces.

Developed for high-performance vehicles — both internal combustion engine and electric — the SportContact 7 is available in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches and is supplied as original equipment to select models from Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.

Continental Tire said its UHP tire development process, including for the SportContact 7, takes into account not only grip and braking performance but also rolling resistance, ride comfort and tread life. The company validates performance through digital simulation, laboratory analysis and test drives under a range of temperature and road conditions.

"As the variety of vehicles such as SUVs and electric vehicles grows and their performance improves, the demands placed on tires are becoming increasingly stringent," said Niko Kyriazopoulos, head of Continental Tire Korea's replacement tire division. "Continental will strengthen its product lineup, including UHP tires, to meet the diverse characteristics of modern vehicles and rising performance expectations, and we will work to provide Korean drivers with a wider range of choices and a higher level of driving performance."

Meanwhile, Continental, founded in 1871, posted sales of about 19.7 billion euros ($22.1 billion) in 2025 and currently employs about 76,000 people across 54 countries and markets. Its premium tire portfolio covers passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and specialty tires, as well as smart solutions and services for vehicle and tire retailers.


eyre@heraldcorp.com