DGAP-News

Continental Achieves Targets and Anticipates Sales of Around EUR37.5 Billion in 2015 - Seite 3

As previously announced, the reduced net indebtedness and improved credit
and bond conditions had a significant positive impact on the Continental
Corporation's net interest expense. "Compared to 2013, our net interest
expense improved by more than half a billion euros to minus EUR265
million," said Chief Financial Officer Wolfgang Schäfer.

"This positive development is attributable in particular to the early
redemption of four bonds issued in 2010 and their partial refinancing with
considerably lower-interest bonds in 2013. In the current year, we are
anticipating net interest expense of around EUR300 million due to the
purchase price payment for Veyance Technologies. Furthermore, we are
planning on achieving free cash flow of at least EUR1.5 billion before
acquisitions," Schäfer explained.

Continental invested heavily in research and development again in 2014.
This expenditure amounted to more than EUR2.1 billion, corresponding to 6.2
percent of sales after 5.6 percent in the previous year. In addition,
EUR2.0 billion or 5.9 percent of sales was invested in property, plant and
equipment, and software. The capital expenditure ratio is again expected to
be around 6 percent in the current fiscal year.

The positive business performance is also reflected in the growing number
of employees. At the end of 2014, the Continental Corporation had around
190,000 employees, a good 11,000 more than in the previous year. The
company's workforce currently totals about 200,000.

Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and
their goods. As a reliable partner, the international automotive supplier,
tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe,
comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation
generated preliminary sales of approximately EUR34.5 billion with its five
divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and ContiTech.
Continental currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.


Contact for journalists

Hannes Boekhoff
Vice President Media Relations
Continental AG
Phone: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Vincent Charles
Spokesman Business & Finance
Continental AG
Phone: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]


This press release is available in the following languages: Chinese, Czech,
Dutch, English, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese
(Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Slovakian, Spanish

Press portal: www.continental-presse.de
Financial reports: www.continental-ir.de
Video portal: http://videoportal.continental-corporation.com/
Media database: http://www.continental-mediacenter.com



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05.03.2015 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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Language: English
Company: Continental AG
Vahrenwalder Straße 9
30165 Hannover
Germany
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.conti.de
ISIN: DE0005439004
WKN: 543900
Indices: DAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hamburg,
Hanover, Stuttgart; Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin,
Dusseldorf, Munich; Terminbörse EUREX; Luxemburg, SIX


End of News DGAP News-Service
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