Continental's Changshu plant hits production milestone of 100 million brake calipers

Beijing (Gasgoo)- on July 3, 2025, Continental Automotive's Changshu plant reached a historic production milestone as its 100 millionth brake caliper officially rolled off the assembly line.

photo credit:Continental

The group said this achievement highlights its technological leadership in braking systems and serves as a powerful testament to its commitment to "Vision Zero"—a future with zero traffic accidents and fatalities. With ongoing upgrades to intelligent production lines and digital process innovation, the group has achieved a dual breakthrough in both production capacity and product quality.

Mr. Enno Tang, President and CEO of Continental Automotive China, said: "We are delighted to witness this historic moment—the 100 millionth brake caliper produced at our Changshu facility. This is not only a numerical milestone but also a vivid reflection of our strategy to 'root in the market and serve the market.' We continue to integrate globally leading technologies with local market needs, driving sustained innovation. By expanding local R&D and strengthening supply chain synergy, we aim to deliver high-quality braking solutions that ensure safer and more enjoyable mobility for Chinese consumers."

According to Continental Automotive, the Changshu plant introduced its first brake caliper production line in 2008 and has since grown at a steady pace, averaging over one million units in added annual capacity. By 2012, output had reached 10 million; in 2018, it hit 50 million; and now the plant celebrates a cumulative production total of 100 million units. Over 17 years, the plant has not only scaled up capacity but also advanced technologically—evolving from drum brakes and conventional calipers to mechanical parking brake combinations, electronic parking brakes (EPB), and the current fourth-generation EPB caliper (EPB Gen4).

Ms. Zhang Xiaomin, Head of Safety and Motion China, said: "Safety is embedded in Continental's DNA and is central to our mission in China. From the very first to the 100 millionth caliper, we've achieved both technical innovation and capacity breakthroughs while building a comprehensive Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing system. With 100% automation in key processes, one high-quality caliper is inspected every three seconds. Continental will continue to prioritize safety and innovation to fuel the high-quality development of China's automotive industry."

According to Continental Automotive, the EPB Gen4 features an innovative planetary gear drive and lead screw-nut transmission system, offering a lightning-fast 15-millisecond response time. Emergency braking deceleration efficiency is improved by 15%, greatly enhancing vehicle safety. Its powerful 18kN clamping force can accommodate everything from compact EVs to full-size SUVs, and its modular design enables flexible adaptation to various OEM requirements. The EPB Gen4 is already featured on mass-production models from dozens of domestic and international automotive brands.

The EPB Gen4 also offers a compelling combination of performance and integration. Its standardized modular design significantly enhances cost-efficiency, while its rapid response improves emergency braking safety. Integrated hill-start assist and auto-hold functions provide a smoother driving experience, and its closed-loop clamping force control (with <0.5% error rate) enables the product to meet the highest functional safety standard in automotive manufacturing—ASIL-D.

Established in 2008, Continental's Changshu plant is located in the Changshu High-Tech Industry Development Zone in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. Its product portfolio includes brake boosters, calipers, electronic parking brake systems, drum brakes, and motor-gear drive units. Guided by the strategy of "based in China, serving the world," the facility currently supplies over 30 major automotive brands and serves more than 90 customer sites worldwide—including 60+ in China and nearly 30 overseas.