Hankook To Supply Tires For Daimler Trucks North America

Hankook Tire, the seventh-largest and one of the fastest growing tire companies in the world, announced today at the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show, that it has been selected as new original equipment (OE) tire manufacturer by leading medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturer Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). Under terms of the agreement, Hankook Tire will be a major supplier for Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado models starting in May of this year. The two flagship Freightliner trucks will be equipped with Hankook Tire's fuel efficient AL11 steer and DL11 drive tires.

"An OE agreement like this one with a leader such as DTNA is yet another critical proof point of our strong brand, investment in R&D, and leading technology here in the United States," said Bryan Woo, Vice President of Hankook Tire's Global OE Division. "As our growth continues throughout 2012 and in the years ahead we look forward to extending not only this relationship but also expanding further in the premium truck tire market."

Hankook Tire's AL11 and DL11, which will be installed in Freightliner Cascadia and Corondo models, have already been recognized by the EPA with Smartway Certification for their environmental performance. AL11 Long haul Steer tires are optimized for long haul driving conditions providing longer mileage while its innovative pattern design offers improved steering and handling. For DL11 Long haul Drive tires, Hankook applies a unique Three Dimensional Kerf design that minimizes abrasion while maintaining superior traction control. DL11 also comes with a whole new pattern design and compound developed specifically to achieve seamless performance and increased fuel efficiency for the Freightliners. Supply will begin in May of this year.

Hankook Tire has displayed its full line of premium commercial truck tires at the Mid-America Trucking Show, the largest show of its kind in the United States, since 2005. In 2011 Hankook unveiled its new commercial tire trade show booth at the Mid-America Trucking Show to positive media and dealer response.

Hankook has a number of passenger car, light truck and commercial truck tire original equipment fitments agreements with several global, premium vehicle manufacturers. In North America alone, Hankook currently offers 17 truck tire models providing coverage for all truck and bus tire service applications and is available at more than 700 servicing commercial tire dealer locations.