Continental AG UHP Tire Sizes Expansion Targets 2027

Continental AG Expands UHP Tire Sizes Through 2027

Continental AG announced plans to add more than 650 new ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire sizes by the end of 2027, covering both original equipment (OE) and replacement markets. The expansion is designed to address increasing demand for high-performance tires used on larger, heavier, and more powerful vehicles, along with vehicles using electrified drive systems. The company’s strategy reflects the growing role of UHP tires across premium and performance-oriented vehicle segments. Continental AG’s expansion will broaden the available size range while supporting applications that require high-performance tire configurations for both factory-fit and replacement use.

UHP Tire Demand Continues to Increase

The expansion follows a significant increase in the share of UHP tires within the Continental brand’s global passenger-car tire sales. UHP tires accounted for around 49% of the brand’s passenger-car tire sales in 2020, rising to around 62% in 2025. The increase indicates a larger role for high-performance tire products within the company’s passenger-car portfolio. Continental AG is developing these tires primarily for large wheel-and-tire combinations measuring 18 inches and above, reflecting applications where larger wheel sizes and high-performance vehicle characteristics require corresponding tire offerings.

Applications Include Performance SUVs and EVs

Continental’s UHP tire development targets several vehicle categories, including performance SUVs, premium sedans, sports cars, and high-performance electric vehicles. The company is also focusing on vehicles with larger, heavier, and more powerful configurations and those equipped with electrified drive systems. These applications create demand for tire sizes suited to larger wheel-and-tire combinations while maintaining the requirements associated with high-performance vehicles. The planned expansion therefore covers both established performance segments and electrified vehicles, giving the company a broader range of UHP sizes for original equipment and replacement applications.

SportContact 7 Anchors Continental’s UHP Portfolio

The Continental AG SportContact 7 remains the company’s core UHP product. The tire is offered in sizes ranging from 18 to 24 inches and has received original-equipment approvals from several global automakers. Its existing size range provides a foundation for Continental’s broader UHP strategy as the company adds more than 650 sizes through the end of 2027. The product is positioned for applications involving large wheel-and-tire combinations and performance-focused vehicles, including premium and high-performance models that require UHP tire configurations.

Industry Impact & Outlook

Continental’s planned UHP size expansion could broaden tire availability for automakers and replacement-market customers as vehicle dimensions, performance levels, and electrified drive systems continue to shape tire requirements. The move also gives Continental AG additional coverage across premium sedans, performance SUVs, sports cars, and high-performance electric vehicles, while its growing UHP sales share provides context for the expansion. The next phase will center on introducing the additional sizes through 2027 for OE and replacement applications, extending the company’s coverage of larger wheel-and-tire combinations and performance-oriented vehicle segments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many new UHP tire sizes will Continental add by 2027?
Continental plans to add more than 650 new UHP tire sizes by the end of 2027 for original equipment and replacement markets. The expansion targets larger, heavier, and more powerful vehicles as well as vehicles using electrified drive systems. Continental’s UHP development focuses primarily on large wheel-and-tire combinations measuring 18 inches and above. Its applications include performance SUVs, premium sedans, sports cars, and high-performance electric vehicles. The company’s SportContact 7 is available from 18 to 24 inches and has received OE approvals from several global automakers.