Continental reopens tire plant in Russia

The German company Continental has launched its Russian tire manufacturing plant. How long the enterprise will work without stopping is still unknown. According to the official version, the resumption of production is due to the concern of the German company for the well-being of its employees.


The reasons, in fact, are slightly different - Continental was waiting for serious fines if they continued to support economic sanctions against the Russian Federation. For the domestic press, a version of concern for the well-being of their employees was voiced, but Reuters interprets everything differently.

Continental officials told the international news agency that they fear criminal prosecution for all of their workers in Russia if the plant is not operational and does not satisfy the local market. It was for this purpose that the enterprise in Kaluga was launched.



In order to immediately dismiss the accusations of the Western press in the desire to cash in, Continental representatives emphasized that circumstances force them to work under economic sanctions. This will not bring the company any profit - rather, on the contrary, losses.
Any person more or less familiar with the situation on the Russian tire market will only laugh at such ridiculous explanations. The country has enough of its own factories for the production of "rubber", which are able to 100% satisfy the demand of the population.

As for the criminal prosecution of Continental employees, this is also ridiculous. Fines will be paid by the owners of the company, not employees, no matter how high positions they hold.

Let us remind you that the production and sale of Continental tires in Russia stopped on March 8, 2021 - timed to coincide with International Women's Day. The official reason was initially given as a military special operation in Ukraine, which disrupted the logistics supply chains.



Everyone understands that the real reason was the economic sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation. When Continental was threatened with fines, they had an excuse for Western countries - they say, these are forced measures.

It was reported that the German company is actively looking for a place in the CIS where they could build one or more tire factories. This was stated by Continental CEO Nikolai Setzer. Where exactly it is planned to build new enterprises is not yet reported.