Hankook Tire unveils 3 new commercial vehicle tires at IAA Transportation 2026

Hankook Tire & Technology has introduced three new commercial vehicle tires to the European market, ranging from winter truck tires to long-haul trailer tires. A key feature across the lineup is a design that maintains braking and driving performance even as the tread wears, extending tire life by up to 15%.

The company said Monday it showcased the new truck and bus radial (TBR) tires at IAA Transportation 2026, held in Hanover, Germany, from Sept. 15 to 20 (local time).

The three products making their debut are the winter tires Smart Control AW53 and Smart Control DW53, and the Smart Flex TH51, a trailer tire for medium- and long-haul transport.

All three incorporate Hankook Tire's commercial vehicle tire technology platform, Smartec. The tires were developed with mileage, braking performance and durability in mind, along with resistance to chip-and-cut damage — where chunks of rubber are torn from the tire surface by external impact — and retreadability.

The AW53 is designed for steering axles, which control vehicle direction, while the DW53 is built for drive axles, which transfer power to the road surface. Both focus on securing traction and braking performance on snow and ice.

Hankook Tire said internal tests at the Ivalo proving ground in Finland showed improved braking, acceleration and handling on snow compared with existing products.

Both tires also feature hidden groove technology, in which concealed grooves are revealed as the tread wears down. Designed to maintain drainage and grip even after significant wear, the technology extends usable tire mileage by up to 15% compared with previous products.

The Smart Flex TH51 trailer tire was developed with mileage and rolling resistance in mind — key considerations for long-haul transport. Zigzag-pattern grooves and drainage channels provide water evacuation across a range of weather conditions, and the tire also incorporates hidden groove technology produced using 3D-printed tread molds.

Alongside the new products, the exhibition featured the Smart Line for high-speed long-distance transport, the e-Smart City for electric city buses, Laufenn's LF95+ trailer tire and the Alphatread retreaded tire. The company also presented its Hankook Smart Fleet solution for monitoring vehicle tire conditions.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire & Technology continues to expand its TBR business in Europe by participating in commercial vehicle trade shows including the Road Transport Expo in the United Kingdom and Transport Logistic and The Tire Cologne in Germany.