Hankook

About Hankook Tire

Few names in the tire industry carry the weight of history and innovation that Hankook does. Founded in 1941 in Seoul, South Korea — originally as Chosun Tire Company — Hankook has grown from a modest domestic manufacturer into one of the most recognized tire brands on the planet. Today, the company ranks among the seven largest tire manufacturers in the world, supplying tires to more than 160 countries and producing over 100 million tires annually.

Hankook's rise from a regional producer to a global powerhouse was built on a relentless commitment to research and development. The company developed Korea's first radial passenger tire in 1974 and later established the Hankook Technodome R&D center in Daejeon — a facility dedicated to pushing the boundaries of tire technology. Hankook also operates the Hankook Technoring, the largest tire test track in Asia, where engineers validate performance across a wide range of road surfaces and extreme conditions.

A Sub-Brand for Every Driver

What sets Hankook apart from many competitors is its thoughtfully segmented lineup of sub-brands, each engineered for a specific driving profile. The Ventus line targets ultra-high-performance and motorsport applications, while Dynapro is purpose-built for SUVs and light trucks — handling both on- and off-road demands with confidence. The Kinergy series delivers comfort-focused all-season performance for everyday commuters, and the Winter i*cept and Winter i*pike lines address cold-weather and icy conditions. For van operators, the Vantra series rounds out the commercial side of the passenger lineup.

Perhaps the most forward-thinking chapter in Hankook's story is the launch of the iON brand in 2022 — the world's first full-lineup tire series designed exclusively for electric vehicles. Engineered to manage the higher torque loads and increased weight of EVs while minimizing road noise and optimizing battery range, the iON family positions Hankook as a true leader in the next generation of mobility. This innovation has led to OE supply agreements for prominent EV platforms including the Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model Y, and Audi e-tron.

Trusted by Automakers and Motorsports Alike

Hankook's credibility is reinforced at the highest levels of both automotive manufacturing and competitive racing. The brand supplies original equipment tires to automakers including BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Kia. On the track, Hankook serves as the exclusive tire supplier and technical partner for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and holds a three-year exclusive supply agreement for the FIA World Rally Championship from 2025 to 2027. This motorsport heritage directly influences the performance and durability engineered into every consumer tire.

For drivers seeking a broad selection of Hankook tires — from touring all-seasons and rugged all-terrain truck tires to cutting-edge EV-specific compounds — the depth of Hankook's catalog makes it a natural first stop for virtually any vehicle type or driving need.

Innovation, Sustainability, and Scale

Hankook operates eight manufacturing plants across South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, and the United States, including a facility in Clarksville, Tennessee that opened in 2017. The company was an early mover in sustainable manufacturing, becoming the first tire maker to receive ISCC PLUS certification for responsibly sourced materials — a standard that helps ensure bio-based and recycled content is traceable throughout the supply chain. Whether you drive a daily commuter, a rugged SUV, or an all-electric vehicle, Hankook brings decades of engineering expertise to every mile.