The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) held its annual conference along with dinner and tyre industry awards on 19 October at the Hilton Double Tree, Stadium MK, Milton Keynes. Around 640 guests witnessed the event as well as presenters English actor, comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw, NTDA chief executive Stefan Hay and national chairman Simon Wright.
The CEOs of 10 leading tyre manufacturers have gathered to confirm a two-year Tire Industry Project (TIP) workplan focused on “sustainability in the tyre lifecycle”. The plans includes targets relating to tyre-emission research and end-of-life tyre management amongst other points.
Hankook has tailored a family of tyres for the expanding 4×4 market with its Dynapro range. The brand covers all-terrain, mud-terrain, and highway applications respectively with the Dynapro AT2, the Dynapro MT2, and the Dynapro HP2.
Hankook has attained ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) for its European production plant in Rácalmás (Hungary). According to the company, this is testament to the Hankook’s “unyielding commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental responsibility”. The tyre manufacturer reportedly plans to further intensify its activities in the area of long-term carbon neutrality and resource conservation by using sustainable raw materials, for example, in the iON tyre family designed for electric vehicles.
Production of the G60/G61/G68 BMW 5 Series has commenced, and the first deliveries will begin any time now. UK-spec M Sport models of this eighth-generation BMW executive saloon come with 19-inch light alloy wheels as standard equipment, while M Sport Pro models receive 20-inch light alloy wheels. BMW UK says the enlarged diameter over its predecessor’s rims gives the vehicle an “even more sporty presence.” Options available for all versions include 20-inch and 21-inch light alloy wheels, and the BMW list of approved rims and tyres for the G60 also includes an 18-inch fitment.
The first European market Hankook all-season tyre aimed at electric vehicles arrives this month. The Hankook iON FlexClimate is a range for both cars and SUVs and initially comes to market in eight popular sizes. Hankook intends to expand the range in the short term to cover other common dimensions for 17- to 21-inch rim diameters.
According to local media, Hankook Tire & Technology is gearing up to establish its own subsidiary in Romania in order to end its reliance upon third-party distributors in this market.
Unusually, two tyres won this year’s Tyre Reviews winter tyre test – both the Michelin Alpin 5 and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005. According to Tyre Reviews founder and head tester Jonathan Benson, “technically the Michelin Alpin 5 did pip the Bridgestone, but it was such a tiny margin I am calling them both test winners.”
Hankook concluded its first FIA Junior European Rally Championship (JERC) season at Rally Hungary at the start of October. After success on the final special stage, Romanian siblings Norbert and Frencesca Maior secured both their first win of the season and the European rally championship for juniors. The JERC has been an important pillar in developing younger rally drivers. Four different manufacturers from the Rally4 class feature in the championship, supplying production-based, front-wheel drive cars generating roughly 210 hp. All cars start on Hankook tyres.
Hyundai has opted to fit Hankook’s Ventus S1 evo 3 ev tyres to its Ioniq 6 as standard. The tyre is developed specifically for electric cars, featuring low rolling resistance and a lightweight, robust construction to meet the specific requirements of all-electric vehicles, such as the Ioniq 6. The tyre is supplied in size 225/55R18W.
Recently, Sentury appointed Philippe Oberti as deputy general manager and director of its R&D centre.
Hankook Tire has entered into a partnership with automotive tuning company Brabus, making the tyre maker an official technology partner. While one goal of this cooperation is for Hankook to develop customised tyres for Brabus, the German firm will initially equip its cars with Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 and Ventus S1 evo Z tyres in rim diameters up to 23-inches. For customers specifying winter tyres, Brabus will offer the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3.
Hankook’s newest Ventus Race tyre, the C54 H, a slightly lighter model than its predecessor, made its debut at the Hankook 24H Barcelona. The European finale of the 24H Series powered by Hankook proved a fitting challenge for the new tyre, subjecting it to high levels of stress on the coarse asphalt and unique kerbs of the Formula 1 hosting circuit in Catalonia. Hankook says the new Ventus Race passed these tests with flying colours, helping the overall winner to set a new record distance of 725 laps.
For Hankook Tire, original equipment tyre supply to the BYD T4K one-tonne electric truck is an opportunity to “further enhance its strategic relationship with BYD and solidify its presence in the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest EV markets.” BYD has jointly developed the T4K with GS Global specifically for the South Korean market, where it will wear Hankook RA08 tyres.
Half a year after a major fire caused extensive damage to its tyre factory in Daejeon, South Korea, Hankook Tire & Technology has recommenced some tyre production within the facility. In a disclosure to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the company reports that it approved the resumption of production at the site’s Plant 1 facility on 1 September 2023.
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