New TBR Production Launched in Hungary
The launch of the new generation of tires coincided with a significant change in Hankook’s European production. On October 1, the company began producing truck and bus tires at its Rácalmás plant in Hungary. A total of 540 million euros has been invested in the new TBR production, and the production line’s annual capacity will exceed 800,000 tires. According to Hankook, nearly all of the new capacity is intended for the European market.
“Today we are starting production at our new plant. Its capacity will be over 800,000 tires per year,” Richard Bezant said at the event in Porvoo.
The new plant is significant for Hankook from both a production and a logistics perspective. Until now, Hankook’s heavy-duty tires for the European market have been manufactured in Korea and China. European production shortens supply chains and reduces dependence on long-distance sea shipments.
According to Hankook, production of the new Smart Control generation is scheduled to be transferred to Hungary during 2027.
“European production brings greater stability and flexibility and brings our products closer to our customers,” Bezant summarized.
The new Smart Control generation thus combines Hankook’s two current TBR priorities: a more technically advanced winter tire and bringing heavy-duty tire production closer to European customers.
