Hankook 'home run' includes new tires and marketing programs

Jan. 1, 2020
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: 'Hom
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.”

 

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The 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.

 

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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.

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