RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico — Hankook Tire America Corp. plans to introduce new OE fitments and commercial truck tire products this year as its parent company continues to ramp up capacity to 4.8 million tires in 2020.
Hankook also pledged continued commitment to supporting dealer and partner growth during its annual Partner's Day event held recently for high-performing customers in Riviera Maya..
"We're inspired by the level of commitment we see every day, and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for being a valued partner and customer of Hankook Tire," Hankook Tire America President Soo Il Lee said.
"To witness and be a part of an atmosphere that continues to foster new thinking and innovation is truly special. We're confident that 2020 will bring forward an unprecedented level of growth and collaboration, and we look forward to what the new decade and the future of mobility has in store for us."
Last year, Hankook continued to strengthen its domestic and premium OE sponsorships with key fitments among top-tier OEMs, such as Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Co., Audi A.G. and Porsche A.G., while also receiving Honda Motor Co.'s Double Award for Excellence in Quality & Delivery and Value, the company said.
Hankook introduced new compound development techniques leveraging artificial intelligence and received recognition for its concept tires as a winner of the 2019 IDEA awards and iF Design awards.
Capitalizing on recent product development advancements, Hankook also launched two tires in its Dynapro line: the Dynapro AT2, a next-generation all-terrain tire for on- and off-road performance; and the Dynapro MT2, a mud-terrain tire featuring next-generation MT tread design.
During 2019 Hankook introduced the Smart Flex DL15, e3 MAX DL21, and e3 WiDE TL21 commercial truck tires. The company also struck a deal with Love's Travel Stops to have its e3 MAX AL21, e3 MAX DL21, and e3 MAX TL21 radial truck tires sold through all 350 of Love's Travel Stops and Speedco locations across the country.
"It has been a remarkable year for Hankook's TBR business with new growth, products and technologies," said Rob Williams, vice president of TBR sales, Hankook Tire America.
"Thanks to our dealers, who are on the front lines and in tune with our customers' daily needs, we were able to adapt quickly and expand into new sizes and products to meet the evolving market needs. We're confident in the way that we're growing and we look forward to keeping that momentum going in 2020 and beyond."
Parent Hankook Tire & Technology Ltd. recently reported 22.7% lower operating income for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31 on 1.5% higher sales.
North American sales were off slightly (0.3%) to $1.63 billion, as lower sales in Canada and with North American OE customers offset replacment market gains in the U.S., the company said in its fourth quarter earnings report.