Hankook Launches “Kontrol Technology”

Hankook Tire has chosen the Auto Beijing 2008 show for the global launch of ‘Kontrol Technology’ – the company’s research and development philosophy. It is the South Korean manufacturer’s aim that, through Kontrol Technology, understanding the technology that goes into Hankook’s tyres will become easier for customers and dealer to understand. Kontrol Technology also represents a set of proprietary innovations developed by Hankook to ensure – in the company’s own words – controlled driving experiences. The result of Kontrol Technology, says Hankook, will be products that provide a range of driving benefits across four areas customers identify as vital when choosing quality tyres: performance; safety; comfort; and a tyre’s impact on the environment.

At Hankook’s Kontrol Technology information booth at Auto Beijing the tyremaker also premiered a new environmental tyre – the enfren – a product that has completed the Kontrol Technology development cycle and is due for its commercial debut in Korea during early summer. The tyre combines a number of technologies including a silica compound and an efficient structural design, and production facility technologies that enhance the tyre’s rolling resistance have been utilised in its production. According to test results from the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, the enfren improves fuel economy by 3 per cent and reduces CO2 emissions by 4 kg/km. The manufacturer says the tyre has the potential to save consumers on average of approximately 34.5 litres of petrol per year in comparison to a current generation Hankook tyre.

“Without precise machinery or skilled high-performance driving experience, it is challenging for people to differentiate one tyre in its category from another,” said Hwi Joong Kim, CTO/CPO of Hankook Tire. “Hankook Tire continues to develop an edge in terms of technology, which in turn is helping the company grow its reputation and sales throughout the world. Kontrol Technology helps customers and dealers more easily understand the benefits of all the technology behind our tyres.”

Commenting on the philosophy behind Hankook’s tyre technology, Mr. Kim continued: “Technology is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that high performance driving should never compromise the control of the vehicle while we also strive to control and reduce the impact that driving can have on others. Kontrol Technology is the range of high-end technologies that goes into all our tyres helping customers and society benefit on many levels.”

Hankook will roll out its Kontrol Technology in key global markets throughout 2008 and 2009 and the Korean launch of its new enfren tyre will take place in June 2008, and plans are under way for its future introduction into other overseas markets.