Continental supports fleets and fleet operators with safe and durable commercial vehicle tyres, digital solutions and comprehensive consulting services, helping them increase the efficiency of their vehicles and reduce costs.
Continental: The Future of Fleets
The transport and logistics industry across Europe and North America is facing pressure from rising operating costs and growing economic uncertainty. These concerns were echoed in the last year’s The Future of the Fleets study, by Continental and by Dataforce, which surveyed 850 fleet managers across France, the UK, Germany, and the US.
The survey included fleets with trucks, buses, vans, and passenger cars. 76% of those surveyed stated that rising costs were the biggest challenge their companies face. Additionally, 46% see major economic risks, caused by factors such as crises, conflicts, and fragile supply chains.
Differences in competitiveness, digitalisation, and readiness for transformation are evident. “Our survey confirms what we observe in our business with our customers: every market is different, and no two fleets are alike,” says Franziska Ohliger, Head of Commercial Consumer Business Solutions at Continental. “That’s why we offer adaptable, tailor-made solutions that are optimised for the regional conditions, digital development status and individual key figures of our customers.”
UK’s Interest in Digital Transformation
Fleet managers from the United Kingdom are particularly open to fundamental change in the survey, with four out of five respondents stating a significant need for transformation in their companies, and 73% show concerns about their competitiveness.
There is a strong interest in digital tools that improve driver safety, minimise downtime, and help reduce costs. “British fleets want technologies that pay for themselves quickly, increase efficiency, and simplify operations,” says Clarisa Doval, Head of Digital Solutions at Continental Tyres. “Our ContiConnect digital tyre management solution is easy to use and can be integrated into the transport yard and everyday business. This enables our customers to reduce operating costs in a short period of time.”
Thanks to sensors, ContiConnect sends data on tyre condition and performance to fleet management in real time. With an overview of the entire fleet, fleet managers can plan maintenance intervals, replace tyres at the right time, and avoid breakdowns and downtime.
France’s Focus on Sustainability
Fleet managers in France are also ready for change, with three out of four fleet managers recognising a significant need for transformation. At the same time, 64% of managers are sceptical about the future competitiveness of their companies.
Many French transport and logistics companies are particularly concerned with aspects of climate-friendly transformation, with 43% looking to reduce emissions, and 65% already investing in the electrification of their fleets. “French fleet managers are not only ready for innovation, they are actively taking action,” explains Franziska Ohliger from Continental.
She points to truck tyres such as the Conti Eco, which are designed to combine low rolling resistance, robustness, and high mileage, making it ideal for heavy battery-electric trucks. For buses in urban public transport, Continental is launching the Conti Urban NXT tyre this year, its most sustainable commercial vehicle tyre to date, consisting of 59% renewable or recycled materials.
Cost Pressure in Germany
Respondents from Germany are less open to change, despite frequently complaining about cost pressure and economic uncertainty. Only 51% of German fleet managers consider transformation necessary, and only 22% showed concerns about future competitiveness.
Together with rising costs, 58% of fleet managers cite electrification as a major challenge, while 48% point to a shortage of drivers as a key concern. Additionally, 48% of German fleet managers also see themselves as technological laggards – more than in any other country surveyed. 47% say they are pragmatists who only adopt new technologies once they have been tried and tested.
Only 6% of managers from Germany describe themselves as technological pioneers who actively seek out new solutions and are the first to adopt them. In France, on the other hand, 21% of managers see themselves as early adopters, and in the UK, the figure is as high as 32%.
“In Germany, in particular, we have a great opportunity to transform risk-averse fleets into highly efficient industry champions through digital solutions,” says Doval. “Our ContiConnect tyre management solutions and our comprehensive consulting concept are proven methods for making fleets fit for the future.”
