Global leading tire company Hankook Tire is now supplying ‘Hankook RA08’, a radial tire for a light truck, as an Original Equipment Tire (OET) for the world’s best-selling eco-friendly vehicle company, BYD. ‘Hankook RA08’ will be used with BYD’s one-ton electric truck, the T4K.
The T4K is distinguished by its innovative Blade-LFP Battery, integrated with BYD's battery technology for extended driving range and enhanced safety. The ‘T4K’ features ‘V2L (Vehicle to Load)’ connector, the first Korean commercial vehicle model allowing external power energy supply and thereby enhancing driver convenience.
Hankook Tire will supply the ‘Hankook RA08’ radial tire for light trucks as the OET for T4K. The ‘Hankook RA08’ is characterized by strong traction to stably support the vehicle's load, as well as excellent wear resistance to provide excellent mileage performance. The optimized pattern design further enhances braking power, providing stable driving performance in various driving environments.
BYD, the world's largest eco-friendly vehicle company, sold 1.86 million eco-friendly cars last year, holding the largest market share. In 2022, BYD became the first company in the industry to cease production of internal combustion engine vehicles and exclusively prioritize eco-friendly vehicles. Operating in over 70 countries worldwide, BYD is expanding its presence in all aspects of mobility, encompassing not just passenger cars but also commercial and specialty vehicles.
Through the partnership, Hankook Tire is to further enhance its strategic relationship with BYD and solidify its presence in the Chinese market, one of the world’s largest EV markets. The BYD partnership will allow Hankook Tire to introduce its state-of-the-art EV tire technology to its customers worldwide and to emphasize its image as a leading future EV technology company, cementing its status and position as a global premium tire provider.
Meanwhile, Hankook Tire continues to expand its position in the Chinese market by supplying OET for other renowned Chinese EV producers, including the C11 – Leap Motor’s electric SUV – and NIO’s ES6 and EC6 electric SUVs. The company also provides OET for Japanese brand Toyota’s first-ever all-electronic vehicle, the bZ4X, in the Chinese market.