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Hankook will begin series production of truck and bus tyres in Hungary in October 2026 after manufacturing the first pre-production tyre at its expanded Rácalmás plant. The €540 million project gives Hankook its first European TBR manufacturing base, with annual capacity set to exceed 800,000 tyres.
Hankook has moved its €540 million expansion at Rácalmás, Hungary, into the production phase, manufacturing the first pre-production truck tyre from the new commercial-vehicle facilities.
Series production is scheduled to begin in October 2026. Once ramped up, the line will provide annual capacity of more than 800,000 truck and bus tyres and represents Hankook’s first production of these products in Europe.
The development changes the regional supply arrangement for Hankook’s TBR business. Until now, the manufacturer has supplied its European truck and bus tyre customers from production facilities in Korea and China.
Hankook says manufacturing closer to its European customers will shorten supply routes, enable quicker responses and deliveries and improve security of supply. The company also expects the shorter logistics chain to reduce transport requirements and associated carbon emissions.
Jongho Park, President and COO of Hankook Tire Europe, said the additional European manufacturing capacity would allow the company to supply customers more directly and respond faster to market requirements.
The commercial-vehicle project is the fourth expansion stage at Rácalmás, where Hankook already manufactures tyres for passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. The existing operation has capacity for up to 17 million tyres annually.
Around 66,000 square metres of production and ancillary buildings have been added for the TBR expansion, which is expected to create more than 450 jobs. Hankook had invested approximately €856 million at Rácalmás before committing the additional €540 million to the latest development.
The manufacturer says Europe accounts for around 45% of its global sales, making the addition of a regional truck and bus tyre manufacturing base particularly relevant to its existing European business. Hankook has previously stated that more than 45% of its global sales are generated in Europe.
Production will initially concentrate on 22.5-inch truck and bus tyres. Hankook plans to add further specifications and commercial-vehicle applications as capacity increases and the necessary product approvals are completed.
The new facilities use a highly automated production set-up, including automated logistics and guided vehicles, real-time tracking of materials and warehouse inventory and automated tyre testing.
The October production start also represents a change from the timetable described in Hankook’s earlier communications. When the project was approved, the company said it planned to invest €540 million by 2027 and reach annual capacity of around 800,000 tyres on completion. In February 2025, Hankook again described construction as continuing until 2027.
Hankook now says series production will begin in October 2026, although it has not clarified whether this reflects an accelerated timetable for the overall project or phased commissioning before final completion.
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Alongside the manufacturing development, Hankook is using IAA Transportation 2026 to introduce the Smart Flex TH51 trailer tyre, extending its commercial-vehicle portfolio for regional transport.
The TH51 completes the latest Smart Flex combination alongside the AH51 steer tyre and DH51 drive tyre. It will initially be offered in 385/65 R22.5, with further sizes planned, and carries the 3PMSF marking for winter performance. It is intended for single-axle applications on semitrailers and trailers.
A central element of the tread design is Hankook’s Hidden Groove concept. According to the manufacturer, interlocking 3D sipes become exposed at around 40% tread wear, while additional concealed grooves appear at around 70%. By approximately 90% wear, the concealed groove system is fully exposed.
Hankook says the changing tread structure is designed to help maintain grip and running characteristics as the tyre wears while supporting mileage and low rolling resistance. The tread also combines zigzag grooves with drainage channels intended to support wet performance.
The TH51 is being presented as part of Hankook’s wider commercial-vehicle offering at IAA Transportation, where the company is also highlighting the expansion of its European production capacity.
Hankook has not said that the Smart Flex TH51 will be produced at Rácalmás.
Tags: Hankook Hungary truck tyre production, Hankook Rácalmás, Hankook truck tyres, European tyre manufacturing, truck tyre factory Europe, TBR production, Smart Flex TH51, IAA Transportation 2026, commercial vehicle tyres, Hungary tyre plant
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