Sentury appoints ex-Michelin technician to head R&D centre
Recently, Sentury appointed Philippe Oberti as deputy general manager and director of its R&D centre.
Recently, Sentury appointed Philippe Oberti as deputy general manager and director of its R&D centre.
Hankook Tire has entered into a partnership with automotive tuning company Brabus, making the tyre maker an official technology partner. While one goal of this cooperation is for Hankook to develop customised tyres for Brabus, the German firm will initially equip its cars with Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 and Ventus S1 evo Z tyres in rim diameters up to 23-inches. For customers specifying winter tyres, Brabus will offer the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 3.
Hankook’s newest Ventus Race tyre, the C54 H, a slightly lighter model than its predecessor, made its debut at the Hankook 24H Barcelona. The European finale of the 24H Series powered by Hankook proved a fitting challenge for the new tyre, subjecting it to high levels of stress on the coarse asphalt and unique kerbs of the Formula 1 hosting circuit in Catalonia. Hankook says the new Ventus Race passed these tests with flying colours, helping the overall winner to set a new record distance of 725 laps.
For Hankook Tire, original equipment tyre supply to the BYD T4K one-tonne electric truck is an opportunity to “further enhance its strategic relationship with BYD and solidify its presence in the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest EV markets.” BYD has jointly developed the T4K with GS Global specifically for the South Korean market, where it will wear Hankook RA08 tyres.
Half a year after a major fire caused extensive damage to its tyre factory in Daejeon, South Korea, Hankook Tire & Technology has recommenced some tyre production within the facility. In a disclosure to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the company reports that it approved the resumption of production at the site’s Plant 1 facility on 1 September 2023.
Hankook Tire has given a name to the combined innovations it uses in its iON electric vehicle tyres. It collectively calls these iON Innovative Technology. Hankook Tire says these newly branded technologies not only accelerate efficiencies in the research and development process but will also enhance communication with customers.
Hankook Tire & Technology has published its 2022/23 ESG Report, highlighting the company’s sustainability activities, performance, and mid- and long-term strategies for the year. The report, Innovation for a Sustainable Future, is the 14th report published since 2010 and provides an overview of Hankook Tire’s performance in three primary categories: Eco-Value Chain, Sustainable Product, and Responsible Engagement.
Hankook will showcase its iON range of specialist electric vehicle tyres at the London EV Show (28-30 November, ExCel London, Stand number ES11). The London EV Show is the largest international trade show and conference focused on the electric vehicle industry in Europe. Hankook launched the iON range in 2022, tyres with a technological emphasis on EVs leading to reduced rolling resistance, low noise, and high resilience. This means that compared to conventional tyres, the tyres offer increased range per battery charge. Hankook iON products are also designed for the high torque immediately produced by powerful electric vehicles. Overall this means a better driving experience for EV drivers.
Recently, Hankook stated that it would carry out technical transformation on the TBR production line of the Chongqing factory. Specifically, the tyre manufacturer plans to invest 47 million yuan (about £5.1 million; €5.9 million) to increase the daily production capacity of TBR from 2,560 to 2,960 (annual production capacity from 900,000 to 1.036 million) within 16 months. Hankook says the project will not add new land and will be built in its existing factory workshop.
Hankook has been recognised for its contribution to the fan experience in its first season as official technical partner and tyre supplier of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The tyre supplier was presented with the award for best fan experience at the official Season 9 Awards Gala following the season finale at the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, recognising its presence in the racing series’ Allianz Fan Village. Hankook welcomed thousands of fans around the world to its interactive exhibition area, which focused on sustainability and its exclusive tyre partnership with the all-electric race series.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved Hankook Tire & Technology’s near-term 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and target of achieving net-zero by 2050. The tyre maker says this approval will help it “gain momentum in the realisation of its 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap.”
Two of Hankook’s top executives travelled to the UK to witness the end of the ninth season of Formula E, for which the tyre manufacturer is the exclusive supplier. Sanghoon Lee, president & COO, Hankook Tire Europe, and Jeongho Park, executive vice president & CMO Hankook, joined the Formula E management and all 22 drivers for an official photo, while Jeongho Park also presented the winner’s trophy to the victorious Jaguar TCS Racing team after driver Mitch Evans’ victory the first race of the weekend on Saturday.
Jake Dennis won his first Formula E title in the Avalanche Andretti Formula E after claiming second place in the first race of the Hankook London E-Prix double-header. The British racer made it onto the podium eleven times over the course of the season but was particularly successful when the series’ tyre supplier Hankook was the event title sponsor: Dennis won the season-opener at the Hankook Mexico City E-Prix and the Sunday race at the Hankook Rome E-Prix. Dennis was crowned the first British champion of Formula E in nine seasons at his home race.
Hankook Tire & Technology reports increasing its revenue and operating profit in Q2 2023 despite a difficult business environment. Revenues were up 11 per cent year-on-year to KRW 2.2634 trillion (£1.37 billion, US$1.77 million), and operating profit jumped 41.6 per cent to KRW 248.2 billion (£150.41 million, $194.0 million). At 11.0 per cent, operating margin was 2.4 percentage points higher than in Q2 2022.
Ahead of this weekend’s 2023 Hankook London E-Prix, British Formula E driver Jake Hughes set a new indoor land speed record in a modified Gen3 car. This ‘GenBeta’ prototype generates up to 400 KW and delivers it to the track via modified Hankook iON Race tyres. Hughes called upon this power to clock a new milestone of 135.9 mph on a 346-metre indoor straight.
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