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Continental Announces $150 Million Investment in Virginia Manufacturing Facility

The investment marks the first time Continental plans to produce turbochargers in the U.S.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—The international auto supplier Continental recently announced that it will invest approximately $150 million in its Newport News, Virginia manufacturing facility during a multi-year period.

In recent years, Continental has experienced growing demand in the U.S. for powertrain technologies. With support from state and local officials, Continental plans to expand its current product portfolio in the Virginia plant. Plans for the investment include the start-up turbocharger production and increased production of Continental's gasoline high pressure injector, fuel rail, and pump assembly lines. This is the first time Continental plans to produce turbochargers in the United States.

"As one of Continental's global Lead Plants and Centers of Expertise for powertrain technology, the Newport News manufacturing facility is an essential part of our overall business strategy as we look to grow business here and leverage some of the region's best talent," said Jeff Klei, president of Continental North America, in a press release. "Thanks to the generous support of state and local officials, we are pleased to make an investment that plans to introduce the assembly of turbochargers to North America and increase our overall production of powertrain technologies in Newport News."

As a Center of Expertise for Low Pressure Gasoline Injection and Exhaust Aftertreatment Products, the Newport News manufacturing facility has already produced more than 265 million fuel injectors, according to the company.

"Soon approximately 1,000 Continental employees from the area will work in our more than 360,000-square-foot facility," said plant manager of Continental North America, David Kilgore, in a press release. "Our team is looking forward to expanding and developing our local workforce, which will be stronger than ever."

By adding new production lines, Continental is bringing approximately 500 new jobs to the state, nearly doubling the facility's current workforce. The investment demonstrates Continental's commitment to economic development in the region and serves as an important milestone in Continental's growth strategy worldwide, according to the company. The Newport News plant is part of Continental's Engine Systems Business Unit in North America and has become a strong contributor in the company's strategy to expand production in the region. The plant has been located in Newport News, Virginia for 44 years.

"Continental has been an outstanding corporate partner to the City of Newport News for over 40 years, and this transformational investment to introduce new, technologically-advanced product lines will provide a pathway to the workforce of the 21st century and future automotive designs," said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, in a press release. "We are confident in the upside potential to follow this investment and the strategic nature of growing the capabilities of Continental's manufacturing operation. We thank the company for this significant investment and the creation of hundreds of new jobs in Newport News."

Continental provides brake systems, components, and systems for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, vehicle electronics, tires, technical elastomers, and more. The company contributes to driving safety, global climate protection, and networked automobile communication.