NEW ORLEANS — Hankook Tire America Corp. released a pair of "SmartLine" long-haul truck/bus tires at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) meeting hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in New Orleans.
The tires — the SmartLine AL52 and SmartLine DL52 —were designed for long-haul fitments and include Hankook Tire's latest TBR innovations, the tire maker said, including "Hidden Groove" technology.
This technology adjusts tread patterns as the tire wears, optimizing mileage, fuel efficiency and braking power, Hankook said. The tire maker claims the technology package results in 4% to 6% reduction in the tire's rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) compared with previous models, enabling more cost-effective and eco-friendly driving.
Haesik Lee, TB marketing director of Hankook Tire America, called it "an exciting moment" to introduce two new TBR products at the trucking industry event.
"Our SmartLine AL52 and SmartLine DL52 provide long-haul solutions that are more economical and sustainably minded and improve on critical performance categories to help our nation's truckers go further," Lee said.
In addition to its latest TBR products, Hankook is showcasing its tire-mounted sensor technology (TMS) and fleet management solution (FMS) for commercial vehicle operators. The company is showing how such sensors enable remote monitoring of tire pressure, temperature and wear, facilitating predictive maintenance and cost-effective fleet management.
Hankook is displaying its spiral-coil technology, a belt reinforcement method applied to Hankook Tire's USS (Ultra Super Single) specification. Booth visitors will be able to see the layered belt structure wound in the direction of travel.
Hankook said the technology improves the tire's contact area with the road surface, ensuring stable driving performance, extended mileage and enhanced energy efficiency.