With new products on the floor at the Specialty Equipment
Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas through Nov. 5
and a strong sales performance thus far this year, Hankook
executives are summing up their enthusiasm and optimism in
two words: “Home Run.”
Following on the heels of positive third quarter results,
the company’s SEMA presence includes new tires to view, in-
booth promotions and expanded motorsports marketing programs
with appearances by its celebrity drivers.
“The North American market has always been important to our
brand, and now more than ever Hankook is investing its
resources in this region,” says Soo Il Lee, president of
Hankook Tire America Corp.
“We understand how important it is to keep up with market
trends,” Lee reports, “so we continue to invest not only in
technology and manufacturing capacity but also in our
marketing initiatives. We believe our expanding investments
will influence more and more consumers, develop brand equity
and ultimately drive more business to our network of loyal
Hankook tire dealers.”
Located in the South Hall as part of the Global Tire Expo at
SEMA, Hankook is showcasing its technology presenting
several booth activities, including an interactive Home Run
Derby.
Anybody who stops by the booth has the opportunity to
participate by completing a short iPad registration form.
You get one pitch on a Nintendo Wii gaming system to try and
hit a home run; blasting a round-tripper over the fence
results in your name being entered into a daily random
drawing to win a set of the new Ventus V2 Concept tires
featuring a “twister groove design.”
PAGE 2The Ventus V2 Concept
High Performance All-Season tire “sports a wide range of
technological innovations that give consumers an unmatched
driving experience in all weather conditions,” according to
the company.
A patented design and special compounds allow the Ventus V2
Concept to match the performance capabilities of most summer
tires, but with twice the snow traction.
Complimenting the launch of the Ventus V2 Concept, Hankook
is also previewing several other tires being developed with
its Kontrol Technology, including:
- “enfren eco” will be the first U.S. offering of a
high performance tire specifically designed to minimize
energy consumption for max fuel efficient vehicles like
Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. enfren eco will be
available in the third quarter of 2011.
- “Dynapro HT” will be Hankook’s premium all-season
performance tire for light trucks, vans and sport utility
vehicles. Developmental testing shows this new tire will
excel in snow traction and braking performance. Dynapro HT
will be available in the third quarter of 2011.
- “Optimo H426” will be the next generation all-season
grand touring performance tire and will sport 20 percent
lower rolling resistance than its predecessor. Already a big
hit with OE car manufacturers such as Ford, Hyundai and Kia,
the replacement market version will be offered in more than
40 sizes covering a wide range of vehicle applications.
Optimo H426 will be available in the second quarter of 2011.
In motorsports, “after celebrating a stellar Formula
Drift season” that included podium finishes in five of the
seven Drift events and setting numerous track records in
Time Attack competition, Hankook is expanding its event and
driver sponsorships. Details are being made available at the
company’s booth, where pilots Paul Walker, Rhys Millen and
Tanner Faust are appearing.
PAGE 3
Four of the Hankook Umbrella Girls are also at the booth,
posing for photos and signing posters.
Vehicles are on display as well:
- The 2008 BMW 135 owned by Berk Technologies and
driven by Time Attack champion Mike Bonanni. The car is
equipped with Ventus V2 Concept tires in size 225/40R18.
- The 2009 Hyundai Genesis owned and driven by Rhys
Millen and ready for competition in the 2011 Formula Drift
Series using Ventus R-s3 tires size 245/40R18 on the front
and size 265/35R18 on the rear.
- The 2010 Audi R8 owned by AE Performance and
equipped with Hankook’s flagship UHP tire; the Ventus V12
evo size 245/30R20 on the front and 295/25R20 on the rear.
- The 2010 Ford F150 Raptor owned and driven by
Hollywood celebrity and motorsports competitor Paul Walker.
His Raptor has been purpose built for feature stories on
line and in print and is getting its traction from Hankook
Dynapro ATm tires size 305/55R20.
All of Hankook’s tires utilize the brand’s proprietary
Kontrol Technology, the company notes. Kontrol Technology is
“assurance that all of its tires are optimized for
performance, safety, comfort and their impact on the
environment.”
For more information visit www.hankooktireusa.com.
