Hankook
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA South Korean tire manufacturer and mobility brand serving passenger, commercial, motorsport, and original-equipment markets worldwide.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Hankook is the international brand of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., a South Korean tire manufacturer headquartered in Seoul and affiliated with Hankook & Company. The business traces its origins to 1941, when it was established as Chosun Tire Company. It adopted the name Hankook Tire Manufacturing in 1968; “Hankook” is a Korean term meaning Korea. The company developed from a domestic tire producer into a global supplier whose products are sold through replacement-tire channels and fitted as original equipment by automobile manufacturers. The brand’s principal business is the design, manufacture, and sale of tires for passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, and performance applications. Its portfolio includes premium-oriented lines such as Ventus, touring and comfort products such as Kinergy, and other products designed for winter, all-season, electric-vehicle, commercial, and competition use. In addition to tires, the company has produced or sold automotive batteries, alloy wheels, and brake pads. Hankook’s business therefore combines a consumer-facing tire brand with industrial manufacturing, research and development, vehicle-maker supply, and motorsport engineering. International expansion has been a central part of the company’s development. Hankook operates manufacturing facilities in South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, and the United States, supported by technical and research centers in locations including Daejeon, Akron, Hannover, Osaka, and China. A major Indonesian investment announced in 2011 was intended to create a regional production and export hub for Asian, North American, and Middle Eastern markets. The company later established a plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, which opened in 2017. Its North American headquarters also moved from Wayne, New Jersey, to Nashville, Tennessee, with the relocation announced in 2016. Hankook has used motorsport and sports sponsorship to build brand recognition beyond the tire retail channel. It supplied the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters from 2011 through 2020, became the official tire supplier for Formula E’s third-generation era beginning with the 2022–23 season, and was selected as the World Rally Championship’s tire supplier from 2025 under a three-year agreement. It has also participated in endurance racing, drifting, rallying, touring-car competition, and Japanese racing series. In football, Hankook has sponsored clubs and competitions including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco, Napoli, and UEFA club competitions. The company has additionally supported rugby, baseball, ice hockey, Australian rules football, and sim racing. Hankook introduced Laufenn as a second brand in 2014, giving the group a separate offering alongside its principal brand. In January 2025, it announced Optimo as a European sub-brand intended to complement its premium and associated passenger-car tire brands. The company’s current identity reflects a shift from a conventional tire maker toward a technology-led mobility company, while its core activities remain tire production, vehicle-maker partnerships, international manufacturing, and branded replacement sales.
History
Hankook began in 1941 as Chosun Tire Company. The original name reflected the company’s Korean origins, while the later Hankook name became the principal international identity. In 1968, the business was renamed Hankook Tire Manufacturing, marking the start of the corporate name associated with its modern expansion. Over subsequent decades, Hankook developed from a Korean tire producer into a multinational manufacturer. Its growth was supported by replacement-tire distribution, original-equipment supply to automakers, technical development, and participation in automotive competition. The company broadened its production and research footprint beyond South Korea, establishing manufacturing operations in China, Hungary, Indonesia, and the United States. Technical centers were established in Daejeon, Akron, Hannover, Osaka, and China to support regional product engineering and testing. International capacity expansion accelerated during the 2010s. In 2011, Hankook announced a major investment in West Java, Indonesia, and held a groundbreaking ceremony for a factory designed to serve as an export hub for Asian, North American, and Middle Eastern markets. In 2013, it announced a United States factory in Clarksville, Tennessee. The plant opened in 2017 and became an important part of Hankook’s North American manufacturing network. In 2016, the company also announced that its North American headquarters would move from Wayne, New Jersey, to Nashville, Tennessee. The company’s product strategy has combined its main Hankook brand with additional brand architecture. The Ventus family has served performance-oriented applications, while Kinergy has represented touring and comfort-focused products. Hankook launched Laufenn in 2014 as a separate tire brand. In 2025, it announced Optimo as a European sub-brand intended to complement its premium and associated passenger-car offerings. Motorsport has been a recurring element of Hankook’s technical and marketing strategy. The company supplied tires in endurance racing, GT competition, touring cars, rallying, drifting, and Japanese series. It supplied the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters from 2011 to 2020 and later became Formula E’s official tire supplier for the third-generation era beginning in the 2022–23 season. Hankook also became the World Rally Championship’s official tire supplier from 2025. Its competition activities have helped associate the brand with handling, durability, high-speed performance, and engineering development. Hankook has also invested in broad sports and entertainment sponsorship. Partnerships have included UEFA club competitions, major European football clubs, rugby teams, Major League Baseball, ice hockey, Australian rules football, and digital sim-racing projects. These activities complement the company’s automotive positioning by giving the brand visibility in international markets. A severe fire at the Daejeon plant in 2023 affected the company’s domestic manufacturing operations and contributed to its withdrawal from supplying Japan’s Super Taikyu series. Bridgestone subsequently assumed that series’ tire-supply role. Despite this disruption, Hankook remains an active global tire manufacturer and a member of the wider Hankook & Company group, with its business centered on passenger, commercial, original-equipment, replacement, electric-vehicle, and motorsport tires.
- 2025
Optimo announced and WRC supply begins
[1]Hankook announces the Optimo European sub-brand and becomes official tire supplier for the World Rally Championship.
- 2023
Daejeon plant fire affects Super Taikyu supply
[1]A severe fire damages the Daejeon plant, after which Hankook withdraws from its Super Taikyu tire-supply arrangement.
- 2022
Formula E Gen3 supply begins
[1]Hankook becomes the official tire supplier for Formula E’s third-generation cars.
- 2017
Clarksville plant opens
[1]Hankook opens its Tennessee manufacturing facility.
- 2014
Laufenn brand launched
[1]Hankook introduces Laufenn as a second tire brand.
- 2013
Clarksville factory announced
[1]The company announces plans for a manufacturing plant in Clarksville, Tennessee.
- 2011
Indonesian factory expansion begins
[1]Hankook announces and begins work on a West Java production facility intended to support regional exports.
- 1968
Name changes to Hankook Tire Manufacturing
[1]The company adopts the Hankook Tire Manufacturing name, establishing the identity used in its modern international development.
- 1941
Chosun Tire Company is established
[1]The business that became Hankook is founded in South Korea as Chosun Tire Company.
Products and positioning
A technology-led, mid-to-premium global tire brand with strong original-equipment, performance, motorsport, and mobility credentials.
Performance passenger-car tires
Ventus
Ventus is Hankook’s performance-oriented passenger-car tire family. It is associated with sporty handling, high-speed stability, braking performance, and applications ranging from everyday performance vehicles to more demanding road use. The family has also supported Hankook’s premium positioning and original-equipment relationships with vehicle manufacturers.
Touring and comfort tires
Kinergy
Kinergy is a touring-focused family emphasizing everyday comfort, ride refinement, mileage, and balanced wet and dry-road performance. It serves mainstream passenger vehicles and represents the practical, long-distance side of Hankook’s product portfolio rather than the more overtly sporting character of Ventus.
Passenger and light-truck tire brand · 2014
Laufenn
Laufenn was introduced in 2014 as Hankook’s second tire brand. It gives the wider group a distinct brand platform for passenger-car, SUV, and light-truck applications, complementing Hankook’s principal brand and allowing differentiated positioning across replacement-tire markets.
European passenger-car tire sub-brand · 2025
Optimo
Optimo was announced in January 2025 as a European sub-brand for passenger-car tires. Hankook described it as complementary to its existing premium and associated brands, extending the company’s brand architecture in the European market.
Truck and bus tires
Commercial tires
Hankook produces tires for trucks and buses in addition to passenger products. These applications address commercial fleets and heavy-use transportation requirements, where load capacity, durability, rolling efficiency, and mileage are important purchasing criteria.
Competition tires
Motorsport tires
Hankook develops and supplies competition tires for disciplines including touring cars, endurance racing, rallying, drifting, Formula E, and other circuit applications. Motorsport programs provide a high-visibility testing and marketing platform for the company’s performance and engineering capabilities.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021UEFA Europa Conference League extension
Europe · Global
Hankook renewed its UEFA relationship, with the Laufenn brand included in sponsorship of the newly introduced UEFA Europa Conference League.
Outcome. Expanded football sponsorship across two UEFA club competitions.
- 20213DBotMaker Diecast Racing League sponsorship
Global
Hankook sponsored the 3DBotMaker Diecast Racing League on YouTube.
Outcome. Added a digital entertainment property to Hankook’s motorsport-related marketing activity.
- 2020MLB Wild Card Series sponsorship
United States
Hankook sponsored the 2020 MLB Wild Card Series as part of its official tire partnership with Major League Baseball.
Outcome. Brand exposure during a major postseason baseball event.
- 2019Sim-racing sponsorship program
Brazil · Global
Hankook supported Brazilian Gran Turismo sim-racing activities, including SVRT and leagues such as Liga ZGT and ApexGT.
Outcome. Connected the brand with digital motorsport and gaming communities.
- 2018Major League Baseball partnership
United States · Global
Hankook became an official tire of Major League Baseball and later sponsored the 2020 MLB Wild Card Series.
Outcome. Extended Hankook’s North American sports-marketing presence beyond motorsport.
- 2017Kontinental Hockey League sponsorship
Europe · Russia · Asia
Hankook served as a major sponsor of the Kontinental Hockey League from 2017 through 2022.
Outcome. Built visibility in hockey markets before the sponsorship period ended.
- 2012UEFA Europa League partnership
Europe · Global
Hankook began sponsoring the UEFA Europa League, using European club football to increase awareness of the tire brand across consumer markets.
Outcome. The partnership continued and was renewed in 2021.
Brand decisions
2025
Introduce the Optimo European sub-brandProduct launchBackground
Hankook continued to refine its brand portfolio for European passenger-car tire markets.
Action taken
The company announced Optimo as a European sub-brand complementary to its premium and associated brands.
Aftermath
Optimo extended Hankook’s multi-brand approach in Europe.
2023
Withdraw from Super Taikyu tire supplyOtherBackground
A fire severely damaged Hankook’s Daejeon plant, affecting the company’s ability to support its Japanese racing-supply commitment.
Action taken
Hankook withdrew from the Super Taikyu supply contract.
Aftermath
Bridgestone took over the tire-supply role, effective immediately as announced for the subsequent contract period.
- Bridgestone — Bridgestone assumed Hankook’s Super Taikyu supply position.
2022
Become Formula E Gen3 tire supplierOtherBackground
Formula E introduced its third-generation cars and selected a new official tire supplier.
Action taken
Hankook replaced Michelin as official supplier from the 2022–23 season through the 2025–26 season.
Aftermath
The agreement strengthened Hankook’s association with electric-performance technology and sustainable motorsport.
2016
Relocate the North American headquartersStrategyBackground
Hankook sought to consolidate and expand its North American corporate presence.
Action taken
The company announced a move from Wayne, New Jersey, to Nashville, Tennessee.
Aftermath
Nashville became the company’s North American headquarters location.
2014
Launch the Laufenn tire brandProduct launchBackground
Hankook expanded its brand architecture beyond its principal tire label.
Action taken
The company launched Laufenn as a second brand.
Aftermath
Laufenn was later incorporated into Hankook’s UEFA sponsorship activity.
2013
Expand United States manufacturingStrategyBackground
Hankook pursued greater production capacity and market proximity in North America.
Action taken
The company announced a new factory in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Aftermath
The plant opened in October 2017.
2011
Build an Indonesian regional production hubStrategyBackground
Hankook sought additional international capacity and a location from which to serve Asian, North American, and Middle Eastern markets.
Action taken
The company announced a major West Java investment and began construction on a 60-hectare site.
Aftermath
The Indonesian facility became part of Hankook’s multinational manufacturing network.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Hankook and Hyundai present i-Flex airless tire concept[3]
Hankook and Hyundai collaborated on the i-Flex airless concept tire, which was presented at CES and designed to fit Hyundai’s Plug & Drive module.
Reported
Hankook Tire launches Winter i*cept RS3 in Korea[4]
Hankook Tire launched the Winter i*cept RS3 tire in Korea. The company said it planned to bring the tread pattern to Europe the following year and other markets afterward.
Reported
Hankook announces two new Dynapro tire models[5]
Hankook Tire announced plans to expand its Dynapro line with the Rugged Terrain Dynapro XT and next-generation Dynapro AT2 Xtreme tires. The tires will be available in the North American market; the AT2 Xtreme will add sizes in phases, eventually reaching 98 sizes by 2022.
Hankook enters the trailer tire market[6]
Hankook Tire announced that it had entered the trailer tire segment by adding trailer tires to its product lineup, including the Vantra Trailer.
Reported
Hankook wins IDEA 2021 award for HPS-Cell[7]
Hankook was recognized as the winner in the Automotive and Transportation category at the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2021 for its HPS-Cell project.
Reported
Hankook expands Kinergy PT and ST tire size ranges[8]
Hankook Tire expanded the Kinergy PT and Kinergy ST product lines by more than 50 sizes for the U.S. market. Production of the expanded sizes was underway at its Tennessee plant.
Sources9 sources
- 1Hankooken.wikipedia.org
- 2Hankook Tire & Technology official websitehankooktire.com
- 3韩泰与现代展示i-Flex无气轮胎概念autoevolution.com
- 4韩泰轮胎在韩国推出Winter i*cept RS3autosphere.ca
- 5Hankook宣布推出两款Dynapro新轮胎autosphere.ca
- 6Hankook进入拖车轮胎市场theautochannel.com
- 7Hankook凭借HPS-Cell荣获2021年IDEA奖autosphere.ca
- 8Hankook 扩展 Kinergy PT 和 ST 轮胎规格prnewswire.com
- 9Hankook Tire Unveils New Rugged Terrain Dynapro XT & Next Gen Dynapro AT2 Xtremeautosphere.ca
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