June 2008

Hankook first quarter results
Hankook has revealed year-on-year sales growth of over 40% in its ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre business, helping the company record sales of over one billion US dollars for the first time in its history.
Hankook once again, exceeded market expectations with global sales increasing 18.4% year-on-year. The company also recorded operating profit of 7.4% in the first quarter of 2008. Sales within the UHP business accounted for US$96.6 million and sales to OE manufacturers also increased by 15.7% year-on-year.
Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Global CEO of Hankook Tire said, "Our long-term and consistent investments continue to strengthen our technology, and the surge in sales for our high-end products reflects our growing reputation for providing high-quality, high-performance tyres."
Rising supply costs continue to shape a challenging business environment for all tyre makers. Hankook Tire cost of sales, which include investments throughout its production facilities to increase production capacity to 74 million tyres by the end of 2008, increased by 21.9%.
Mr. Suh continued, "The tyre industry is fiercely competitive and it is critical that we continue to manage costs effectively, while balancing investment to ensure sustained future growth. We continue to take a long-term view. Demand for our quality products continues to outstrip supply and we are continuing to increase production in all countries where we are manufacturing."

Getting to grips with new product and events programme
Hankook is riding high this year with increased sales globally and a busy programme of events and launches in the UK. "2008 is proving an extremely busy year for us,'' said Hankook's product marketing and pricing manager Mark Grace. "Our presence at the CV Show in Birmingham once again reinforced our position as a key supplier to the UK market and we will be focusing on a key commercial market by exhibiting at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Show in Torbay.
Hankook is also involved in a dealer promotion for retailers with a top prize of a brand new car and a pilot scheme for consumers in the south linked with a radio competition, cash prizes and the chance to win an LCD television.
"And of course we have lots of new products to talk about together with some impressive performance results from independent tests in German magazine sport auto where our tyres outperformed all others,'' said Mark.
The key tyre which is popular with owners of a range of high performance cars is the Ventus S1 Evo K107 which was launched last year. What has been popular has been the new profile and design structure to maximise both surface contact pressure and the surface contact shape.
And new this year is the Ventus V12 Evo K110 which has replaced the K104 and offers even better performance for the demanding high performance market.
Hankook says this is a totally new concept in ultra high performance tyres and is designed to deliver superb control and braking. "What we have in this new tyre is MTR (Multiple Tread Radius) and innovative tread design together with HPSR compound technology which provides superior precise control and responsiveness required for performance under extreme driving condition,'' said Mark.
In the commercial market four new tyres have been launched this year. Heading this list of exciting new products is the AH22 Premium Low Profile Steer Axle Tyre which produces an excellent performance in both wet and dry conditions and is an all position fitment for coach and bus fleets.
Similarly, the new AH15 Wide Single Steer Axle Tyre has a deep 16.5 mm tread depth and with low rolling resistance offers significant fuel savings, vital in this market.
A Premium High Capacity Trailer Tyre, TH06Z with a 14.5 mm tread depth has been designed primarily for the vehicle logistics industry but this tyre is one that Hankook is particularly proud of since it incorporates the unique new Hankook compound which reduces heat build up. Finally, the Winter Drive Axle Tyre DW02 is designed for winter conditions since it has a unique 21 mm tread depth, which not only offers excellent action in all weather conditions but aids self cleaning tread properties and promises high mileage capabilities.