Hankook is consistently expanding its original equipment commitment in the truck segment and already supply original equipment tyres in 36 sizes to MAN. The MAN Truck & Bus AG belongs to the Volkswagen Group, who are one of Hankook’s largest OE customers. The OE business with Hankook truck tyres for MAN covers a total of 36 dimensions in the 17.5, 19.5, 22.5 and 24 inch range. Hankook’s Original Equipment range for the bus and truck manufacturer includes the supply of the tyre lines e-cube MAX, SmartFlex and SmarkWork for various MAN models to the production facilities of the Munich-based manufacturer in Germany, Austria and Poland. The tyre ranges have been adapted for European conditions, boasting both ecological and economic advantages.
Hankook and MAN have been cooperating since the first quarter of 2012. Ho-Youl Pae, Hankook COO for Europe comments: “The expansion of OE business in the commercial vehicles segment with MAN is of great strategic importance to us, as we can now offer further treads and dimensions for light to medium-duty trucks from MAN.”
The tyres are fitted to a range of MAN’s vehicle series that include the TGX, TGS, TGM and TGL, which are used for national and international long-haul, delivery and construction site traffic. Tyres used include the e-cube MAX line, which is aimed at international long-haul traffic, the new SmartFlex all-year tyre range for flexible use between long-haul and delivery traffic, as well as construction site treads from the SmartWork series. Specially adapted for use on vehicles of the EURO 6 emission class, the treads – both as special steering and drive axle versions – score well for environmental friendliness and mileage. This is also relevant to the total cost of ownership.
