Continental confident after record 2012

Continental, the German maker of automotive parts and tyres, said it achieved record results in 2012 and expects its success to continue this year. "In 2012, Continental set new records in a market environment that was difficult in part," the group said in a statement. "This success is set to continue in 2013. Despite muted market prospects, the international automotive supplier is aiming to boost sales by 5.0 percent to more than 34 billion euros ($44 billion) this year," it added. In 2012, net profit zoomed ahead by 51.6 percent to 1.884 billion euros and underlying or operating profit was up 18.3 percent at 3.073 billion euros on a 7.3-percent increase in sales to 32.736 billion euros. Continental said it would propose an increased dividend of 2.25 euros per share for 2012, up from 1.50 euros per share share a year earlier.