Conti: AV safety concerns to drive up tire demand

Brooklands, UK – Consumer concerns regarding autonomous driving mostly relate to safety, according to the findings of a survey presented at a Continental UK media day.

The Statista survey covered a base of 1,260 consumers from 10 countries who said they were unlikely or very unlikely to take a ride in a self-driving car.

Customers also registered concerns about the lack of control over the vehicle, the potential for the car to ‘make mistakes’ and the danger of hacking.

Continental can relate to these concerns, particularly as safety has always been “our strong suit,” said Struck, noting that AVs will create a big market for safer tires.

“If something goes wrong with an AV and it has to stop, what will prevent the accident will be good brakes and good tires,” he pointed out at the 7 May press event.

Continuing this theme, Struck said Continental is currently developing 139 different tires for EVs and hybrid cars for a wide range of vehicle makers.

As well as the requirement for low-rolling resistance to extend driving range, EV tires, he noted, are heavy and often require the use of higher inflation pressures.