100 years of success are not enough for us
From the hydraulic brake to ABS, ATE has enriched the market from the outset with pioneering developments – and it will continue to do so.
Never-ending Story
The ATE success story is not over yet, however, because we’re still the leading pioneers thanks to the innovations we continually introduce – and we’ll be blazing a trail in the future too!
2025
In 2025, a decisive transformation took place for ATE: The Automotive business division, previously part of Continental AG, was listed as an independent company under the new name AUMOVIO SE on September 18, 2025.
This means that the ATE brand will no longer be under the umbrella of Continental, but will officially belong to AUMOVIO – with a clear focus on modern mobility, braking, and comfort solutions for the vehicles of the future.
2022
With MK C2, ATE and Continental reached another milestone. It is the second-generation brake-by-wire system and has been in series production since 2022. The system integrates the master cylinder, brake booster, and control systems (ABS and ESC) into a single compact and lightweight module.
The MK C2 is based on a multi-logic architecture that enhances functionality and availability. It also builds on the history and experience of the innovative MK C1. It makes a significant contribution to safe and dynamic driving as well as energy efficiency.
With 100% regenerative braking, the MK C2 plays a key role in safe, dynamic, and environmentally conscious driving. When combined with a Hydraulic Brake Extension (HBE), it provides a redundant fallback level for highly automated driving.
In addition, it includes modern cybersecurity features and over-the-air functionality, which can be easily installed in vehicles. For drivers, the system offers significantly faster autonomous brake pressure build-up than conventional hydraulic systems, resulting in shorter braking distances.
2021
2016
ATE presents the first Mercedes brake disc aftermarket solution for the C and E Classes at leading trade exhibitions.
2010
The innovative, low-dust ATE Ceramic brake pads are presented to the public, as is the ATE Classic product range.
2006
One hundred years after its founding by Alfred Teves, Continental Automotive Systems is on its way to becoming an internationally leading automotive supplier for safety systems, connected automotive electronics, and innovations – in short, for intelligent driving in the future.
30,000 employees worldwide are working toward this goal; nearly all automotive manufacturers are customers.
The anniversary year marks major decisions: With the opening of an Asian headquarters in Shanghai and the foundation stone for a development center in Japan, the Asian business is being strategically expanded. Eastern European operations are also growing with new locations.
Continental acquires Motorola Inc.'s automotive electronics division. With the new telematics business unit, vehicles can for the first time be electronically connected with their environment.
Additionally, the sensor module business of VTI Technologies Oy (Finland) is integrated. New opportunities arise in vehicle safety, comfort, drivetrains, communication, and traffic management.
All divisions of Continental Automotive Systems are globally and strategically interconnected, driving forward key topics such as connected, intelligent, efficient, and safe driving worldwide.
2005
The new, special low-viscosity ATE SL.6 brake fluid is optimally matched to the hydraulics of electronic braking systems like ABS and ESP®.
The Continental technology for hybrid drives passes its stringent series of tests in the GMC Silverado.
2002
Presentation of ESP® II – the first ESP® with active steering intervention opens up new dimensions of driving dynamics and stability.
1998
The Brake and Chassis Group of ITT Industries is sold to Continental AG and Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG is founded. R&D is expanded in the strong partnership of the Continental Group and new markets are opened up.
1996
A new brake disc revolutionises the market – the PowerDisc minimises fading and has a considerably longer service life thanks to its score-free, uniform abrasion. Its premiere takes place at the Automechanika 1996.
1984
Series production of the first integrated ABS in the world is launched – the ATE ABS MK II is used by Ford USA and Ford Europe and a quarter of a million ABS systems are delivered within the next two years.
1980
The ABS MK II – the first anti-lock brake system from Teves to attain full readiness for volume production.
The product philosophy of ATE is that safety systems must be affordable – and that in itself will increase the individual and overall degree of driving safety.
1979
The ATE floating calliper disc brakes are introduced in high-performance, touring motor sports. They are used in the BMW M1 in the Group 4 version.
1977
A pioneer on principle – Teves is one of the first suppliers to open up works for its customers in North America. In 1977 it begins manufacturing floating calliper disc brakes and vacuum brake boosters for Ford and Volkswagen in its Culpeper, Virginia factory.
1972
The Teves plant in Rheinböllen supplies high-performance ATE four-piston fixed-calliper brakes for the Ferrari 365 GTB road model and for the Porsche 911 S.
Successful in-house development – the first booster developed wholly in house by the company. The ATE T52 vacuum booster goes into volume production in 1972 and the production figures have remained impressive to this day.
1960
ATE takes over the manufacture of disc brakes in its Frankfurt factory under licence from Dunlop.
The Ford 17M, nicknamed the “bathtub”, was a big seller in the 1960s. It was supplied with ATE Dunlop disc brakes for a surcharge of 150 marks.
1958
ATE patents the design principle of the “negative scrub radius” for improved directional stability during braking. In the same year, ATE starts mass production of disc brakes in Germany.
1954
The ATE pump circulation brake boosters are the first hydraulic brake boosters to be used in car racing – in the legendary Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow.
1952
Teves realises at an early date that disc brakes are technically superior to drum brakes and development work begins in Frankfurt in this year.
1948
Despite most of the main factory in Frankfurt and other workshops being destroyed during the Second World War, the company has again achieved its former size with 3,500 employees. A new factory in Gifhorn underlines the intention of continuing to place the main emphasis on the development of hydraulic brake systems.
1939
The production of cylinder liners and ribbed cylinders using centrifugal casting begins in the Frankfurt am Main factory.
1937
The ATE tandem master cylinder is introduced for cars, trucks and buses.
Bernd Rosemeyer and Manfred von Brauchitsch take first and second places at the British Grand Prix – and their racing cars are equipped with ATE brakes.
1934
In their racing cars for the 750 kg formula race, Auto-Union and Daimler-Benz use ATE brake systems optimised by Teves for use in motor sport.
1926
The Adler Standard is the first car on the continent to drive with a hydraulic braking system – and it’s the ATE Lockheed brake. ATE improves its market position thanks to innovative technical developments and new kinds of casting processes.
1924
1924 marks the birth of the famous logo. The letter “t” is interpreted as a wheel, referencing the legendary hydraulic brake system.
In 1932, the lettering appears without quotation marks in its final form, later supplemented by a frame. The blue packaging with white lettering becomes synonymous with premium quality.
1917
Industrial revolution à la Teves: He commissions Nathan S. Stern to develop and build a high-speed longitudinal milling machine. This allows universal use of metal as a material, reducing dependence on suppliers during wartime shortages.
The machine becomes a commercial success, helping Teves sustain his company through the war.
1911
The Alfred Teves Maschinen- und Armaturenfabrik is founded. After the end of the First World War, parts made in-house become increasingly important. The company makes a name for itself on the automotive parts supplier market with high-quality piston rings and braking systems.
1909
Teves founds the Mitteldeutsche Kühlerfabrik (Central German radiator factory) together with engineer Matthäus Braun. The company wins Audi, Wanderer, Hansa and other important manufacturers of the time as customers.
1906
Alfred Teves founds the company as a general representative for automotive accessories and presents his products at the IAA in Frankfurt.
Alfred Teves
Alfred Teves Kolbenringe - historical poster
The ATE logo over time
Development of sliding caliper from 1980 to 2006
Poster Disc Brake