JEDDAH: Hankook is the world’s fastest-growing tire manufacturing company. It has its plants in Korea, China and Hungary which produce 74 million tires a year.
In 2007, Hankook earned $174 million on sales of 3.5 billion, making it the world’s 7th biggest tiremaker, up from 11th in 2001.
Globally, Hankook is a modest company compared with the industry’s big three — Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyear — but Hankook is growing much faster. Last year, its sales soared 20.7 percent, making it the world’s fastest-growing tire manufacturer.
Hankook sold 1.19 million tires in Saudi Arabia last year, making it the No.1 tire company in in the Kingdom.
The company’s sales target for 2008 is 1.35 million tires whereas for 2009 its target is 1.50 million
Sport Auto magazine in its April 2008 issue has published the results of the test for several tires. The vehicle used for the test was Audi S5. Test size was 255/30ZR 20 Size.
The result was as follows:
Pirelli P Zero (Very Recommended); Hankook VENTUS S1 evo (Very Recommended); Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (Recommended); Conti Sport Contact 3 (Recommended); and Vredestein Ultra Sessantra (Recommended).
Additionally, Hankook VENTUS S1 evo received the highest point in Wet Handling and Wet Braking performance.