Hankook Tire reaches supply deal with Daimler Trucks North America

 Hankook Tire has reached an agreement with Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) to supply truck tires for Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado models.

The two flagship Freightliner trucks will be equipped with Hankook Tire’s fuel efficient AL11 steer and DL11 drive tires. The tires will start shipping to DTNA’s assembly plants in the U.S. and Mexico beginning in May 2012.

“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 Soo Il Lee, President, Hankook Tire America Corp. “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 tires 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 tires also come 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 fitment agreements with several global, premium vehicle manufacturers.