Official opening of new test centre in Idiada

Premium tyre maker Hankook has been making continuous investments into research and development as well as the expansion of its testing capacities for many years. In addition to the Technotrac winter tyre proving ground in Ivalo, Finland, and the opening of the Hankook Nürburgring Workshop at the end of 2021, the official opening of the newly constructed Hankook test centre on the premises of Applus+ in Idiada, Spain, has now also taken place. All areas that previously had to be accommodated separately on the premises are now housed under one roof in the new workshop due to the constant growth in testing and development requirements over recent years.

Neu-Isenburg, Germany, 3rd February.2022 – The keys to the new Hankook test centre, which commenced operation last summer, were recently officially handed over in the presence of Klaus Krause, the Head of the European Research and Development Centre. The new Hankook workshop is located on the premises of operator Applus+, which is about 37 miles from Barcelona. Hankook and Applus+ have enjoyed a successful partnership for 16 years. The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art, automated and entirely paperless test logistics from the recording of results to storage and transport processing. The on-site team of about 20, which is affiliated with the Hankook Europe Technical Centre (ETC), also has access to its modern offices, lounges and social areas.

“Having been operating from the premises since summer last year, we are delighted to have now been able to hold the official opening of the new test centre, even though it was on a smaller scale due to the pandemic. The state-of-the-art equipment in our new workshop not only allows us to ensure optimal conditions and services, but also to implement the tyre tests even more efficiently, which are a crucial part of our development work.” said Klaus Krause, Head of the European Research and Development Centre in Hanover.

Due to extensive investment in its European test and development sites, Hankook is in high demand as an original equipment partner for countless premium car manufacturers, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and VW. The company has been continuously expanding its capacities in this area since 1997 when the ETC was opened. Hankook stands for holistic tyre development and production in the region with state-of-the-art production and indoor test plants in Hungary, the European proving ground for winter tyres in Finland, the ETC and the newly opened Nürburgring Workshop in Germany, as well as the test centre in Spain.

Caption (from left to right): Klaus Krause, Head of the European Research and Development Centre, and Aleix Alcaraz, Subjective Test Driver at Hankook

About Hankook Tire

Hankook Tire manufactures globally innovative, award-winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and buses as well as motorsports (circuit racing/street circuits/rallies).

Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving satisfaction, Hankook Tire continuously invests in research and development maintaining five R&D centres and eight production facilities around the world. Bespoke tyre solutions for the European markets as well as European Original Equipment according to the requirements of leading premium car manufacturers, are developed in the company’s regional Technical Centre in Hanover/Germany. Production for the European region is taking place in the state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Rácalmás/Hungary which was inaugurated in June 2007 and is continuously being expanded.

Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The manufacturer operates further branches in several European countries and sells its products through regional distributors in other local markets. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and sells products in over 160 countries. The company has been the technical partner and exclusive tyre supplier of the Generation 3 for the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship since 2023. Internationally leading car manufacturers rely on tyres made by Hankook for their original equipment. Approximately 38 percent of the company's global sales are generated within the European region.

For more information please visit www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

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