Hankook Tire Gets Volkswagen OE in North America

This month Hankook Tire began supplying Volkswagen’ Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle cars manufactured at Volkswagen’s Puebla, Mexico plant and destined for North America with Optimo H725A tyres. Hankook already has fitments on Volkswagen cars in other global markets, but this development represents a significant increase in VW fitments on Volkswagens to be sold in Canada and the US, where the Jetta is the highest selling VW model vehicle.

“We are extremely excited to supply the Optimo for Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and New Beetle exports to the U.S. and Canadian markets. By leveraging our Kontrol Technology in the development of UHP products, Hankook Tire is able to tailor its products to current environmental sustainability standards, and this in turn allows Hankook Tire to deliver quality products to our consumers,” said Seung Hwa Suh, CEO, Hankook Tire, adding: “After working closely with Volkswagen as an OE supplier in other world markets, we have created excellent relationships, and we look forward to earning even more fitments on VW vehicles to be sold in the US and Canada.”

“A high-profile fitment such as this is a great win for Hankook. Along with our ongoing business with Ford, GM and Chrysler, earning this fitment demonstrates that our brand equity is rising with automakers for the all-important North American market,” commented Greg Pae, president of Hankook Tire America Corp. “This OE business is very complementary with our replacement sales strategy, supplying dealers and consumers with high quality products that deliver a great return on investment.”

In addition to Volkswagen, Hankook Tire has global fitments with Audi, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Navistar Inc. and Chrysler.