Hankook Tires to equip new BMW Minis, Mercedes

ERJ staff report (TP)

Seoul – Hankook Tire Co. said on 15 July it will equip the latest models of the BMW Minis and Mercedes-Benz C-class vehicles.

This latest original equipment (OE) deal arrives as the South Korean firm has steadily increased its market portfolio to equip new cars made by some of the top German carmakers.

The company said shipments to Mercedes-Benz involve the high-end, run-flat and conventional Ventus S1 evo2 tires, which have won several awards.

For the BMW deal, Hankook will equip the latest Mini One, One D, Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S models – with the Ventus Prime 2, Optimo H426 and Ventus S1 evo2 being offered.

The firm said tires with diameters ranging from the basic 15 inches to 16 inches and 17 inches will be supplied for the Minis.

These tires offer “sporty, direct handling for drivers and confident braking”. For the 16- and 17-inch tires, sold in the US, Hankook will supply run-flat versions.

Besides the latest deal, the tiremaker has also been supplying tires to BMW cars – such as the 3 and 5 series sedans, the X5 SUV, and smaller 1 and 2 series cars.

For the Mercedes-Benz arrangement, Hankook said its developers met the German automaker's requirement for safety and comfort.

Both normal and run-flat Ventus S1 evo2 tires were “distinguished by predictable, reliable handling, outstanding braking, high directional stability and low rolling noise, and resistance”.

Hankook said the tires have “significantly less unsprung mass, helped by the use of extremely lightweight yet highly durable steel cord materials in the rubber”.

Before the firm secured orders for the C-class, it had already been shipping tires for Mercedes-Benz E-class and S-class sedans.