Hankook expands OE relationships
Hankook Tire announced it is expanding its Original Equipment (OE) fitments to include new vehicle models from Ford, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia.
“We are pleased that automobile manufacturers continue to see added value in Hankook tires and have chosen to pursue a long-term business relationship by adding our tires to more of their models,” says Bill Hume, vice president of Hankook Tire Canada.
“Original Equipment fitments are a great way for consumers to experience the Hankook difference right from day one.”
The tire company now provides fitments for the Optimo H426 tire on Ford Fiesta 2011, Kia Soul 2010 and Forte 2010 models. In addition, Hankook is expanding its fitment of the Optimo H725 OE tire to the 2010 Ford Taurus 2010, marking the first fitment of Hankook on a Ford family sedan.
Drivers of the 2010 Volkswagon Golf will have the OE fitment of the Optimo H725A. The partnership with Volkswagen in North America began in 2009 with fitments on the New Beetle, Jetta and Jetta SportWagen and now expands to cover the Golf as well. Building on the success of OE fitments in 2009, Hankook will supply original equipment tires to Ford, GM, Dodge, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Kia.
This includes a broad range of models, including the Ford F-150 and Edge 2010, Ford Flex 2011, GM Chevrolet Equinox 2010, Dodge Journey 2010, Hyundai Sonata 2011, and Kia Sedona and Borrego 2010.
Hankook representatives say it they have been “proactively targeted luxury brand OE fitments as a key growth area.” Hankook was selected as the tire supplier for the Audi A3 last year and there are hints that luxury market will continue to grow.
