Hankook Tire's Laufenn brand to supply OE tires for Europe's best-selling Dacia Sandero

Hankook Tire & Technology said Tuesday that its global brand Laufenn will supply original equipment tires for the Sandero, the flagship model of Dacia — a brand under France's Renault Group — expanding its foothold in the European market.

The Sandero is a compact hatchback that has topped European passenger car sales for two consecutive years, in 2024 and 2025. An updated model with a refreshed design, enhanced convenience and safety features, and an improved powertrain was released last October, and the vehicle sells approximately 289,000 units annually worldwide.

Drawing on its technical collaboration with Dacia, Hankook Tire will supply the second-generation S Fit2 summer performance tire in a 16-inch size and the G Fit2 daily comfort tire in a 15-inch size, both tailored to the Sandero's vehicle characteristics.

The S Fit2 was developed for Europe's varied climate and road conditions. Its high-silica EMC compound and optimized tread block design improve wet-road braking performance, cutting stopping distances by about 16 percent compared with the previous generation. Four wide, straight grooves enhance drainage and boost wet-weather handling.

An optimized structural design maintains stable grip on hot asphalt while reducing vibration and noise during driving. A next-generation polymer EMC compound extends tread life by approximately 15 percent over the previous generation.

The G Fit2 is a second-generation product evolved from the G Fit EQ+, a summer touring tire designed for everyday driving. It retains stable ride performance and a comfortable driving feel while improving wet-road braking and tread life. Following its launch as an OE tire, it is set to enter the European replacement tire market officially in 2027.

Laufenn has steadily grown its OE supply to major European automakers, led by the S Fit2. This year the brand secured fitments on key Volkswagen Group models — including the Skoda New Octavia, Volkswagen Polo, and the Seat Ibiza, Arona and Leon — and has now added a Renault Group model, diversifying its customer portfolio further.

Hankook Tire said it plans to continue strengthening Laufenn's competitiveness in the European OE market through ongoing partnerships with global automakers.

Hankook Tire & Technology, the first tire-dedicated company established in Korea, operates four global regional headquarters, more than 30 overseas branches, eight production facilities and five R&D centers. It sells tires in more than 160 countries and generates over 85 percent of its total sales from overseas markets.