Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. to supply iON tires for two Volkswagen small EVs

[Financial News] Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. is stepping up its push into Europe's EV market by supplying OE tires for two of Volkswagen's next-generation small EVs. Following supplies to major Volkswagen Group brands such as Porsche and Cupra, the company is expanding its reach to mass-market EVs and strengthening the position of its EV-specific iON tires.
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. said on the 21st that it would supply its EV-specific iON tires as original equipment (OE) for Volkswagen's next-generation small EVs, the ID. Polo and ID. Cross.
The two vehicles are small EVs developed on Volkswagen's next-generation EV platform, MEB+. The ID. Polo is the production version of the ID.2all concept car, an all-electric version of Volkswagen's signature small car, the Polo. The ID. Cross is a small electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) aimed at urban drivers.
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. will supply the ID. Polo with an 18-inch iON evo summer performance tire and a 17-inch iON i*cept winter tire. The ID. Cross will be fitted with iON evo tires in 17-inch and 19-inch sizes.
The iON features Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.'s EV-specific iON Innovative Technology. It is designed to handle the high vehicle weight and powerful instant torque characteristic of EVs while reducing road noise and rolling resistance to improve quietness and energy efficiency.
The iON evo is a summer tire designed for greater high-speed stability and steering performance. Its EV-specific materials and design improve braking and water evacuation on wet roads. The iON i*cept, a winter tire, uses a V-shaped tread pattern and a specialized compound to deliver traction and braking performance on snow.
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. is also expanding its OE tire supply partnership with Volkswagen Group. Last year, it supplied tires for the Porsche Macan electric SUV, the Cupra Born electric hatchback, and the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron. This year, it supplied iON evo tires for Cupra's small EV, the Raval, further expanding the range of electrified vehicles for which it supplies tires.
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter