Hankook Tire Makes Another "Great Catch" to Celebrate America's Favorite Pastime

WAYNE, N.J., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As Opening Day festivities kick off the 2011 Major League Baseball season in ballparks around the country, Hankook Tire America Corp. today rolled out its game plan for a new spring incentive – the Hankook 'Great Catch' mail-in rebate and car giveaway promotion.

Building off last year's enormously successful series of baseball-inspired promotions, Hankook is celebrating America's favorite pastime by presenting consumers with a great new offer.  Consumers who purchase four select Hankook tires of any size from an authorized dealer between April 1 and June 30 of this year are eligible for a mail-in rebate up to $60.  Eligible tires include the ultra-high performance Ventus V12 evo, ultra-high performance all-season Ventus V4 ES, light truck/SUV performance all-season Ventus AS and the premium touring all-season Optimo H727.  Consumers can locate one of thousands of participating retailers using Hankook's dealer locator on its web site www.hankooktireusa.com.

In addition, Hankook Tire America Corp. today announced the launch of the Great Catch giveaway promotion that will put one lucky winner behind the wheel of a new 2011 Ford Explorer Limited.  By registering online at www.hankooktireusa.com/greatcatch2011 between April 1st  and June 30th, 2011, consumers will be automatically entered into a random drawing to win the promotion's grand prize (no purchase necessary).  

"Our baseball themed rebate and car giveaway promotions have been extremely popular with consumers in the past," said Mr. Soo Il Lee, President of Hankook Tire America Corp. "Tens of thousands of consumers participated in last year's Great Catch and Great Hit programs, making the decision to launch Great Catch again this spring an out-of-the-park home run.  Our commitment to baseball as a platform for branding Hankook Tire in the United States continues to grow and consumers and dealers are responding very well."

Hankook will be promoting the 'Great Catch' Mail-In Rebate and 2011 Ford Explorer Limited Giveaway through print, television and online channels. Posters at retail locations will detail the offer, and consumers can also take advantage of a "QR" (Quick Read) code that will send information about the promotion directly to their mobile phones.  To further reinforce its commitment to baseball, Hankook also plans to advertise its brand behind home plate in Major League Baseball parks around the country.

Products supported by the 2011 'Great Catch' Mail-in Rebate Offer include:

• Ultra-High Performance Summer:  Ventus V12 evo – As spring thaws the winter roads and gives way to the heat of summer, performance drivers looking to put the top down and enjoy a sporty drive need a quality ultra-high performance summer tire.  One of the most popular new tires to hit the market in recent years, the Ventus V12 evo has earned high marks from some of the leading automotive enthusiast magazines in the United States and around the world.  Its innovative design technology provides precise control and responsiveness under extreme driving conditions.
• Ultra-High Performance All-Season:  Ventus V4 ES -- For drivers who need unparalleled all-season capability, the Ventus V4 ES features the control and comfort of a summer tire while maximizing traction and grip during winter driving conditions with its distinctive construction and tread design. The Ventus V4 ES is backed by a 50,000 mile treadwear and road hazard limited warranty.
• Light Truck/CUV/SUV Performance All-Season:  Ventus AS – Safety and comfort drive Hankook's premiere Light Truck, Crossover & SUV tire, the Ventus AS.  This all-season tire offers a smooth ride and fantastic year round performance.  Ventus AS incorporates six main grooves for better water drainage and greater stability. The result is a superior tire that keeps its traction, regardless of the driving conditions.  The Ventus AS is backed by a 65,000 mile treadwear and road hazard limited warranty.
• Premium Touring All-Season:  Optimo H727 – Drivers looking for all-season premium touring performance and comfort can choose the Optimo H727.  This tire provides outstanding tread life and traction.  A computer calculated tread design offers a quiet, comfortable ride that performs well in all-season conditions.  The Optimo H727 is backed by a 100,000 mile treadwear and road hazard limited warranty.

Ventus V12 evo, Ventus V4 ES, Ventus AS and Optimo H727, as well as Hankook's other tires, have been developed using the company's Kontrol Technology design process.  Hankook's Kontrol Technology is a holistic philosophy that is applied to every aspect of tire innovation – from improving performance and safety to reducing environmental impact.  It reflects how the tire should perfectly control the interaction between the driver, the car and the road while in motion (the 'K' stands for kinetic).  Hankook's Akron Technical Center leverages Kontrol Technology to optimize Hankook tires specifically for various driving conditions found on roads throughout the United States.  This approach ensures Hankook Tire provides the greatest benefits and driving experiences to customers in terms of safety, driving comfort, handling, performance and environmental friendliness.

For more information, please visit the Hankook website at www.hankooktireusa.com

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment.  Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires to more than 400 independent dealers through 3000+ retail sales locations in the United States.

SOURCE Hankook Tire America Corp.