Positive Reception in North America Leads Hankook Tire to Expand Lincoln MKT Supply

WAYNE, N.J., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Extending their reach within the Ford family, Hankook recently announced that it will expand its fitments on the 2011 Lincoln MKT in Canada by adding a 20-inch high performance tire in addition to the 19-inch tire currently in the lineup.

Hankook has supplied the luxury brand with Optimo H725 19-inch tires for the MKT production model in both the U.S. and Canada since the 2010 model year. The Optimo H426 is being added as a 20-inch option for the 2011 model year in Canada.

"This addition stems from a successful partnership dating back to 1999," said Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communications at Hankook Tire America Corp. "It's a testament to the quality of products in Hankook's line up. We received the award after satisfying all criteria for testing – the results being another perfect fit for the Lincoln MKT."

This marks a milestone for Hankook as it is the company's first time supplying its 20-inch UHP tires to a North American car manufacturer.

The tire maker will also be supplying the H725 for the 2010 Ford Taurus and its Optimo H426 for the 2011 Ford Fiesta. Recent reports from Motor Trend and Car and Driver offer favorable reviews for the Hankook Optimos. Both magazines suggest heightened performance from the tires, after having tested the tires to their limits.

Soo Il Lee, President of Hankook Tire America Corp., agrees with his global counterparts. "Based on the increases in quality and brand value, Hankook is now truly experiencing an evolution in its global OE supply business, receiving constant global recognition. As a reliable partner, Hankook Tire will expand its OE partnership further with the world's best car manufacturers."

About Hankook Tire Co., Ltd

Hankook Tire (CEO: Seung Hwa Suh) is the seventh largest and one of the fastest growing tire manufacturers in the world.  It produces innovative, superior quality, and high performance radial tires for passenger cars, 4x4, SUVs, light trucks, campers, trucks, buses and for automobile motorsport.  It invests approximately five percent of revenue in research and development and develops cutting-edge technologies through its five global R&D Centers meeting regional customer demands and enhancing customer satisfaction. Selling in 185 countries around the world, the company has more than 14,000 employees.  Approximately 70 percent of revenue comes from growing overseas sales.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire America Corp. is a technology-focused, market-driven company that 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 and Canada.

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

SOURCE Hankook Tire