VW to build business with Hankook

Volkswagen A.G. has approved Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.’s plant in Racalmas, Hungary, as a supply source for all of VW’s models and brands.

The approval sets the stage for Hankook to expand its OE supply situation with VW, Europe’s largest car maker, according to Jin-Wook Choi, executive vice president of Hankook Tire in charge of Europe.

In Europe, Hankook has supplied tires to VW since 2002, Hankook said, and is supplying several current model VW models, including the T5 transporter/bus/minivan line, Polo, Golf, Touran, Tiguan and Caddy as well as the Audi A3 compact.

As part of VW’s audit process, Hankook certified the Hungarian plant according to ISO/TS 16949:2009 quality assurance standards.

“We are pleased about the good results and are proud to be able to supply tires for additional models of Europe’s largest car maker,” Choi said. “We want to build on this relationship of trust and outfit many more Volkswagen models.”

VW’s Ralf Binaisch, who oversaw the audit, said: “The Hungarian plant operates with high precision, and we’re confident that Hankook Tire and Volkswagen will continue our successful partnership.”

• Hankook range of tyres