Hankook Tire & Technology is expanding its partnership with Volkswagen by supplying specialised electric vehicle tires for two upcoming compact models, the ID. Polo and ID. Cross. The agreement brings the company’s iON tire range into Volkswagen’s next-generation small EV lineup, with products designed to support handling, braking, comfort and energy efficiency.
Key Overview
- Hankook Tire will supply iON tires as original equipment for Volkswagen’s ID. Polo and ID. Cross.
- Both vehicles use Volkswagen Group’s next-generation MEB+ electric vehicle platform.
- The ID. Polo will use 18-inch summer tires and 17-inch winter tires.
- The ID. Cross will use 17-inch and 19-inch summer tires.
- The partnership extends Hankook’s EV tire supply across more Volkswagen Group models.
Hankook Expands Its Volkswagen Partnership
Hankook Tire & Technology is extending its electric vehicle partnership with Volkswagen, supplying dedicated tires for two upcoming compact electric vehicles. The ID. Polo and ID. Cross will be equipped with the company’s iON tire range as original equipment, meaning the tires are supplied for installation on vehicles during production.
The agreement expands Hankook’s presence across Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle portfolio. It also moves the company’s EV tire supply further into the compact-car segment, as automakers develop smaller electric models for a wider customer base.
Both vehicles are built on Volkswagen Group’s next-generation MEB+ platform. The ID. Polo is the production version of the ID. 2all concept and an electric counterpart to Volkswagen’s established Polo nameplate. The ID. Cross is a compact electric sport utility vehicle designed with urban drivers in mind.
Different tires for Summer and Winter Driving
The tire specifications vary according to the vehicle and driving conditions. Volkswagen’s ID. Polo will use 18-inch iON evo summer tires and 17-inch iON i*cept winter tires. The ID. Cross will be fitted with 17-inch and 19-inch iON evo tires.
The iON evo summer tire is designed to manage the higher weight and immediate torque associated with electric vehicles. Its features aim to improve high-speed stability, steering response and wet-road braking, while reducing rolling resistance and road noise.
These characteristics matter because tire performance can influence an EV’s driving range, comfort and handling. Lower rolling resistance can help reduce the energy required to move a vehicle, while managing road noise is particularly relevant in electric cars, where the absence of a conventional engine can make tire noise more noticeable.
The winter option, iON i*cept, uses a V-shaped tread pattern and a specialised rubber compound intended to improve traction and braking on snowy roads. Its design also addresses the higher loads associated with electric vehicles.
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Building a Broader EV tire Portfolio
Hankook’s latest agreement builds on its existing supply relationships with Volkswagen Group brands. The company has supplied original-equipment tires for the Porsche Macan electric SUV, the Cupra Born electric hatchback, and the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron. It has also expanded its EV tire supply to the Cupra Raval.
The latest supply agreement extends this relationship to Volkswagen’s next-generation compact EVs. Rather than serving only selected premium or established models, Hankook is broadening its reach into smaller electric vehicles intended for everyday use.
The development also highlights the growing importance of components designed specifically for electric drivetrains. Automakers must consider vehicle weight, instant torque, braking, cabin noise and energy efficiency when selecting tires. Suppliers that can address these requirements may be better positioned to compete for original-equipment contracts as EV lineups expand.
What the Partnership Means for the EV Market
The partnership reflects a broader shift in automotive supply chains as manufacturers introduce more electric models. tires are not simply interchangeable accessories: their design can affect driving comfort, grip, efficiency and performance.
For Hankook, supplying tires for the ID. Polo and ID. Cross strengthens its relationship with a major automaker and expands the range of vehicles using its iON products. For Volkswagen, the agreement provides EV-specific summer and winter tire options tailored to the characteristics of its upcoming compact models.
However, the announcement does not establish how many vehicles will use these tires or quantify the resulting impact on Hankook’s revenue. The commercial significance will depend partly on vehicle production and customer demand for the new models.
Outlook
Hankook Tire’s expanded agreement with Volkswagen reinforces the role of specialised components in the transition to electric mobility. As automakers broaden their EV portfolios, tire suppliers are adapting products to balance safety, handling, comfort and energy efficiency.
The supply arrangement for the ID. Polo and ID. Cross gives Hankook a wider foothold in Volkswagen Group’s compact EV lineup. Future vehicle production and adoption will help determine how much this expanded partnership contributes to the company’s EV business.
FAQs
1. Which Volkswagen vehicles will use Hankook’s iON tires?
The upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo and ID. Cross compact electric vehicles will use Hankook’s iON tire range as original equipment.
2. Which tires will be supplied for the ID. Polo?
The ID. Polo will use 18-inch iON evo summer tires and 17-inch iON i*cept winter tires.
3. What makes Hankook’s iON tires suitable for electric vehicles?
They are designed to address EV-specific requirements, including higher vehicle weight, instant torque, road noise, rolling resistance, handling and braking.
4. Does this partnership cover other Volkswagen Group brands?
Hankook has existing original-equipment supply relationships involving models from Porsche, Cupra and Volkswagen. The new agreement expands its supply portfolio to the ID. Polo and ID. Cross.
Sources: The Korea Times | BigGo Finance | Financial News
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