Technology companies Continental and Osram have announced their intention to establish a joint venture. The idea is to combine innovative lighting technology with electronics and software to develop, manufacture and market intelligent lighting solutions for the automotive industry.

The global joint venture would operate under the name Osram Continental GmbH and has its registered office in the Munich region. Continental and Osram will each have a 50 percent stake in the joint venture. The aim is to generate annual sales in the mid-triple-digit-million-euro range with a workforce of around 1,500 employees and 17 locations worldwide. The joint venture is scheduled to start in 2018 subject to agreement on the binding contracts, prior consent of each party's Supervisory Board and antitrust approvals.

Osram would be transferring its automotive Solid State Lighting (SSL) module business over to the joint venture. Continental would be incorporating its light control business from the Body & Security business unit. This would lead Osram Continental to combine semiconductor-based lighting modules, advanced electronics, optics and software expertise with access to sensor technology and innovative light sources.

Osram Continental would therefore be able to offer a broad range of end-to-end, innovative lighting solutions, designed especially for headlight and tail light applications. The intention is to work together to design perfectly coordinated and innovative products and solutions, and bring them to market more quickly. The joint venture would operate on the market as a standalone company.

(Continued on the next page)