Hankook Tire announced today that it will provide the all-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma with its premium highway all-season Dynapro HT tires.
The Dynapro HT, size P245/75R16S, will be equipped with the steel wheels standard on the SR and SR5 versions, two of five trim levels of the latest generation of the popular, midsize pickup.
“We believe that this new agreement with Toyota is a meaningful step forward for Hankook Tire as we seek to improve our presence in the North American OE business, particularly in the pick-up truck segment,” said Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire.
“Our long-term partnership with Toyota once again demonstrates that Hankook Tire’s continued investment in R&D to develop cutting-edge tires meets the demands of one of the automotive market’s most significant players.”
Hankook’s first original equipment (OE) contract with Toyota was for its 2013 Corolla. This new agreement will allow Hankook to supply Toyota’s bestselling pickup trucks in North America, diversifying its OE portfolio for the Toyota brand.
Demand for pickup trucks in the U.S. is increasing, accounting for approximately 14 to 15 percent of the light vehicle market, and Hankook aims to reach a wider consumer base through the recent Tacoma OE supply agreement.
Hankook’s Dynapro HT was designed as a premium highway all-season tire for light trucks and SUVs, providing drivers with improved snow traction, lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy, and an extended product lifespan.
The tire’s 3.5% wider tread is designed to offer better driving comfort as well as longer mileage. The Dynapro HT also utilizes a stiff center block and an advanced multi kerf design to provide better handling and noise performance all year round.
Dynapro HT’s footprint design was developed with the help of advanced computer simulation, which the company claims helped to create a more consistent footprint shape that generates less noise and provides improved traction in various driving conditions.
Following its successful OE supply to Ford’s new 2016 F-650/F-750 medium duty trucks in mid-2015, Hankook has been gradually expanding its truck tire OE business by partnering with various global automakers including Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) and Toyota in North America as well as the Mercedes-Benz truck for the European market.
