Continental, the German car parts supplier, yesterday started an acquisition spree that could total up to €4bn ($4.85bn) in the coming months by agreeing to buy Motorola's automotive electronics business for $1bn.

The acquisition from the US electronics and phone company will double Conti's revenues in North America and add to its portfolio the promising area of telematics - where telecoms devices such as satellite navigation and vehicle tracking transmit and store information.