Hankook Tire began as a Korean domestic manufacturer and expanded into a global tire company offering passenger, SUV, light-truck, commercial and racing tires. The brand sells across North America and worldwide, provides multiple product lines and uses motorsports development and technical collaborations to refine compounds and construction. Buyers can find options across performance and price levels; check current independent tests and specifications for model comparisons.
Hankook Tire began as a small Korean tire maker and grew into a global supplier for passenger cars, SUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles and motorsports. Today the brand is widely available in North America and across the world, offering product lines that span all-season, performance, winter, off-road and commercial applications.
A short history and global reach
Hankook started in Korea in the mid-20th century as a domestic tire manufacturer and expanded steadily into export markets. Over the decades the company broadened its portfolio to include consumer tires, truck and bus tires, and a dedicated motorsports program. It now sells to markets on multiple continents and is considered one of the larger global tire makers.
Products and markets
Hankook offers tires for nearly every application: compact cars, luxury sedans, crossovers and SUVs, light trucks, heavy commercial vehicles and specialty racing tires. Their consumer range includes touring/all-season, ultra-high-performance, and winter tires. The company also manufactures commercial and industrial tires for buses and heavy equipment.
Hankook positions its product lines at multiple price and performance points, so shoppers can choose higher-grip, performance-oriented compounds or longer-wearing, value-focused options depending on needs.
Motorsports and technology transfer
Motorsports have played a significant role in Hankook's development. The company has supplied tires to various racing series and uses lessons from track development to improve compounds, tread designs and internal construction for road-going products. That track-to-street transfer helps improve grip, durability and handling in consumer tires.
Hankook has also pursued technical collaborations with other tire makers and technology partners over the years to accelerate product development and materials research.1
Presence in North America
Hankook products have been imported to and distributed across North America for many years. The company operates regional sales and distribution channels, and it has invested in manufacturing and logistics capacity outside Korea to serve local markets more efficiently.2
What this means for buyers
If you need an all-season tire for an SUV, a high-performance tire for a sports car, or heavy-duty tires for commercial use, Hankook offers a broad selection at different price points. Its racing programs and development investments aim to deliver better grip and longer life in consumer products.
If you want model-specific performance comparisons, check up-to-date independent tests and the manufacturer's technical specifications before you buy.
- Confirm founding year and original corporate name of Hankook Tire (mid-20th century details).
- Verify details and dates of any technical partnership or collaboration between Hankook and Michelin.
- Confirm current corporate name/branding (e.g., 'Hankook Tire & Technology') and the date of any rebranding.
- Verify locations and opening dates of Hankook manufacturing plants and major North American facilities.