Continental appoints Liviu Bălan as Head of Country for the automotive sector in Romania

Continental appoints Liviu Bălan, currently Head of Electronic Suspension Systems Product Center (ESS) within the Safety and Motion business area, as Head of Country for the automotive sector in Romania. Starting with March 1, 2025, he will lead Continental’s automotive sector in Romania in addition to his current role.

The group’s automotive organization in the country includes the company’s headquarters in Iași (location led by Daniel Groza), Sibiu (location led by Sonok Rivetto), Timișoara (location led by Simona Belea) and the headquarters of Elektrobit – part of the Continental group (led by Christian Drothler in Brașov and Timișoara).

“I believe that in the current context of transformation of the automotive industry and, in particular, of Continental’s automotive sector, which is expected to undergo a spin-off this year, it is more important than ever to show initiative, agility, entrepreneurial spirit and robustness. I am confident that together with the passion and skills of our colleagues in Romania, we have the best premises to succeed”, says Liviu Bălan.

A graduate of the “Gheorghe Asachi” University in Iași, Liviu Bălan joined Continental in 2005, at the Sibiu headquarters, where he led the Safety and Motion department, and later the entire research and development center of the Sibiu location.

Delegated to Hanover since January 2020, Liviu Bălan took over the global responsibility for the research and development activity of the ESS segment, and since 2023 he has been leading its global activity.

Starting in 2025, he will operate from Sibiu, strengthening the strategic importance of Romania for the Continental group, an importance that he wishes to demonstrate, grow and promote sustainably by taking over the role of Head of Country of the Automotive sector in Romania.