(pressebox) (Hannover, 22.01.2010) In 2010 Continental is continuing to put stock in fresh expertise, new ideas and, thus, increasing innovative prowess in the form of highly qualified junior staff. "This year we plan to hire around 1,000 university graduates and young professionals worldwide, including about 250 in Germany," reported Continental Executive Board member Heinz-Gerhard Wente in Hanover on Friday. The international automotive supplier recruits primarily engineering and natural science majors but also graduates in business and economics.

"As international automotive supplier, Continental puts great store in highly qualified employees, all the more so in the face of the present challenges. Alongside attractive assignments with an international perspective and flat hierarchies, Continental also offers a wide range of technologies and possibilities for natural scientists, engineers, managers and lateral entrants with an atypical career of academic background.

Continental employs roughly 30,000 engineers in the areas of production and research & development. Of the close to 1,000 new hirings worldwide, approx. 700 will be from the engineering area and 300 from the commercial area.

Über Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH: With sales of approximately €24 billion in 2008, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately 134,000 at nearly 190 locations in 37 countries.