Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hankook Tire supplies tires for Tesla’s Model Y Juniper
Hankook Tire's two tire lineups supplied for Tesla's Model Y Juniper SUV / Courtesy of Hankook Tire
By Lee Min-hyung
Hankook Tire has supplied its high-performance tires for Tesla’s refreshed Model Y SUV, codenamed Juniper, cementing its position as a top-tier global tiremaker for electric vehicles (EVs), the company said Thursday.
The Korean tire manufacturer provides Tesla with its iON evo AS SUV and Ventus S1 evo3 ev tires, both specifically designed for EVs.
The latest deal is expected to fortify Hankook Tire’s presence in the global EV industry. Tires for EVs are generally considered more lucrative products for tiremakers because they are more expensive and their lifespan is shorter than tires for vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Tesla's Model Y Juniper / Courtesy of Hankook Tire
Hankook Tire’s iON evo AS SUV is one of its cutting-edge EV tire products, providing an optimal balance of low rolling resistance, extended mileage and quiet ride quality. The features are crucial to supporting the dynamic capabilities of high-performance electric SUVs, according to Hankook Tire.
The tire also comes with a noise-reducing tread pattern, which helps significantly lower road noise.
The Ventus S1 evo3 ev is engineered to deliver robust stability for high-output EVs. It is capable of handling high torque and weight, and delivers precise handling even at high speeds.
The latest achievement will solidify Hankook Tire’s position as a key partner to Tesla. The Korean tire firm is already supplying tires for other Tesla vehicles, such as the Model 3.
The company also shared hopes to keep advancing its partnerships with other EV manufacturers, such as Porsche, BMW, Hyundai Motor, Kia and BYD.
“We will continue investing more in advanced research and technologies to provide the most sophisticated driving experiences to customers across the globe,” an official from the company said.