Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. has reached an agreement to provide tires to International Truck and Engine Corp. for use on the International 4000 and CF Series vehicles.
"This represents a very prestigious partnership and a significant advancement in Hankook Tire's respected original equipment relationships worldwide and here in the U.S.," said Bill Bainbridge, Hankook Tire America Corp. marketing director. "This OE supply agreement fits in perfectly with our overall strategic plan to broaden our medium truck tire business, and establishes Hankook as one of the principal suppliers to International Truck and Engine."
Hankook currently supplies tires to Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Kia, Hyundai and Suzuki.
The company is increasing its truck tire production in Korea to meet the requirements of the new agreement. Delivery of OE tires to International Truck and Engine began in the third and fourth quarters of 2005.
Bainbridge said that as a result of ongoing manufacturing capacity expansion, the supply of replacement truck tires to Hankook's U.S. dealer network will not be affected.
"The agreement with International coincides with Hankook's effort to supply larger fleets with Hankook's line of TBR product," said Brian Sheehey, Hankook truck and bus radial tire specialist.
"Courting larger fleet business is part of our growth strategy and our partnership with International Truck and Engine and IC Corp. will translate to additional replacement business for our network of dealers as well," Sheehey said.
Hankook will provide steer and drive position tires for International's CF Series trucks, 4000 Series tractors and IC Bus equipment. The Hankook tires being supplied include: AH06 and AH11 All-Position, DH01 Drive, AH12 Medium Distance All Position, Z35A Deep Tread Super Traction, and the DL01 Long Haul Drive tires.
