Mercedes-Benz will offer the Korean tire-manufacturer Hankook a chance to move a little bit more upmarket by choosing them as a supplier of original equipment tires for two of the Germans' models.
In other words, a few versions and trim levels of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class will come fitted with Hankook tires from the factory.
“We are a little bit shy company, but supplying tires to Mercedes S-Class means a lot to us,” said Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO. “That's why we are saying this is an historic day for Hankook.”
Leaving the somewhat humorous quote from Hankook aside, the news comes as a bit of a surprise, as the usual OEM tire manufacturers of choice for Mercedes-Benz models have been either Continental, Pirelli or Michelin - with no exceptions over the years.
The provided tires will consist of the Ventus Prime2 (245/55 R17 W) for the S-Class and Ventus S1 evo2 (225/55 R17 W) for the E-Class. They will be produced at the Geumsan plant in South Korea, which is Hankook's primary factory for ultra-high-performance tires.
“We are a little bit shy company, but supplying tires to Mercedes S-Class means a lot to us,” said Seung Hwa Suh, vice chairman and CEO. “That's why we are saying this is an historic day for Hankook.”
Leaving the somewhat humorous quote from Hankook aside, the news comes as a bit of a surprise, as the usual OEM tire manufacturers of choice for Mercedes-Benz models have been either Continental, Pirelli or Michelin - with no exceptions over the years.
The provided tires will consist of the Ventus Prime2 (245/55 R17 W) for the S-Class and Ventus S1 evo2 (225/55 R17 W) for the E-Class. They will be produced at the Geumsan plant in South Korea, which is Hankook's primary factory for ultra-high-performance tires.