Continental names new CEO of North American unit

Continental has promoted Aruna Anand to CEO of the company’s automotive group sector in North America as it aims to adapt to a changing industry.

Anand, 49, takes over for Robert Lee, who left the company in May to be president and chief strategy officer for battery maker LG Energy Solution North America.

Effective Dec. 1, Anand will oversee Continental’s North America auto division, made up of about 40,000 employees and accounting for 25 percent of overall business for Continental, which generated around $35 billion in revenue last year.

“She is a respected leader and is a technical expert in many areas that are the focus of our future growth,” Nikolai Setzer, CEO of Continental, said in a news release. “Aruna’s dedication to our customers and our employees will help guide the success of Continental in the important North American market.”

Anand joined the automotive supplier in 1997 and ascended to vice president, architecture and networking for North America, a position she will retain.

Continental, whose traditional business is in braking and tires, is looking to reinvent itself as the automotive industry embraces EVs and automated technology. In addition to its core business, the company is building out its portfolio of telematics and smart mobility offerings, including radars, cameras and Lidar sensors.

Anand, who was named to Automotive News’ list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry in 2020, earned her bachelor’s degree for electrical engineering from Anna University in India and her master’s degree in computer science and engineering from Oakland University near Detroit.

“It is an honor to be selected as automotive president and CEO for North America,” Anand said in the release. “I look forward to leading our talented team toward a bright future and providing our customers with leading technological solutions.”

Continental, based in Hanover, Germany, ranks No. 8 on the Automotive News Europe list of top 100 global suppliers, with worldwides sales to automakers of $22.4 billion in 2021.