From Baxter to Taycan... Hankook Tire Strengthens Collaboration with Porsche

Hankook Tire Boasts Perfect Match with Porsche

Kumho Tire Supplied for Porsche 718 Boxster

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Hankook Tire & Technology (hereinafter Hankook Tire) is gaining attention by strengthening its collaboration with Porsche and boasting world-class tire technology.

On the 18th, Hankook Tire announced that it will supply the ultra-high-performance tire ‘Ventus S1 evo3’ as original equipment tires for Porsche’s representative high-performance sports roadster, the ‘718 Boxster.’

Hankook Tire has previously supplied tires for several Porsche models. In 2015, Hankook Tire first established a partnership with Porsche by supplying the ‘Ventus S1 evo2 SUV’ as original equipment tires for the crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) model ‘Macan.’

In 2019, it successfully expanded its supply to Porsche SUV models up to the third-generation super-premium SUV model ‘Cayenne.’ Last year, it began firmly establishing itself as a partner of Porsche by supplying original equipment tires for Porsche’s electric vehicle, the ‘Taycan.’

The company emphasized that being part of Porsche’s first high-performance electric sports car model carries significant meaning. Since it is a newly launched model, it embodies all the innovative technologies of the complete vehicle, and thus a partner that matches this level is selected.

Porsche high-performance sports cars possess the world’s best driving performance and dynamic sports capabilities, making tire performance especially important to maximize driving performance.

Supplying original equipment tires is the best indicator of a tire company’s technological capability. Because it must pass the complete vehicle’s rigorous verification process, it proves the tire’s technology and quality.

During the development period, if any process fails to meet the complete vehicle brand’s perfect requirements, it is excluded from the supply target. To finalize the contract, multiple verification steps must be completed, including development feasibility review, test equipment production, sample product manufacturing, specification modification reflecting feedback, production system verification, and mass production evaluation.

Hankook Tire has focused on securing ultra-high-performance tire technology based on continuous research and development (R&D) innovation from an early stage, building its technology by expanding partnerships with 46 complete vehicle brands and over 320 models, ranging from high-performance models of the three major German premium brands to premium sports car brands.

A company official stated, "Going forward, we plan to secure the best tire technology capable of leading the global market through our global high-tech R&D network, which includes our core research facility ‘Hankook Technodome’ and four research centers located on each continent (USA, Germany, China, Japan)."