Conti Opens Silicon Valley R&D Center

Continental AG has officially opened a 65,000-sq-ft research and development center in San Jose, Calif.

The supplier says it is investing “millions of dollars” in the Silicon Valley facility, which will be headed by Dirk Remde. Prior to his new assignment, Remde led Continental’s chassis electronics business.

The new center is expected to employ 120 engineers by the end of the year and reach full capacity of 300 people by 2020. The total will include new hires and workers transferring from other Conti facilities in the area.

Conti says the facility will be the first to represent all five of the supplier’s divisions: chassis and safety, interior, powertrain, tires, and rubber and plastics. Their research efforts at the center will focus on autonomous vehicles, connectivity, electronic systems and mobility services.