WAYNE, N.J. (March 24, 2006)—International Truck and Engine Corp. has approved Hankook truck tires for original equipment fitment on its International 4000 series tractors, CF medium-duty trucks and IC bus equipment, according to Hankook Tire America Corp.
Hankook will supply Warrenville, Ill.-based International Truck with six different radial truck tire lines: AH06 and AH11 All-Position, DH01 Drive, AH12 Medium Distance All Position, Z35A Deep Tread Super Traction and DL01 Long Haul Drive tires.
International Truck is considered the U.S. market share leader in class 6 and 7 commercial vehicles, Hankook said, while its affiliated IC Corp. is the school bus market share leader in North America with a share of more than 60 percent.
“This OE supply agreement fits in perfectly with our overall strategic plan to broaden our medium truck tire business and establishes Hankook as one of the principal suppliers to International Truck and Engine,” said Bill Bainbridge, marketing director for Hankook Tire America.
Mr. Bainbridge said expansions of capacity at Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. plants in South Korea should ensure that shipments to dealers will not be affected.
“The agreement with International coincides with Hankook´s effort to supply larger fleets with Hankook´s line of (truck/bus radials),” said Brian Sheehey, Hankook Tire America's truck & bus radial tire specialist.
“Courting larger fleet business is part of our growth strategy and our partnership with International Truck…and IC Corp. will translate to additional replacement business for our network of dealers as well,” he said.
Hankook did not disclose the size or value of the contract, which actually began last year with deliveries starting in the third quarter.
International Truck and IC Corp., both subsidiaries of Navistar International Corp., list Goodyear on their Web sites under supplier partners.