Hankook Tire signs supply deal with Czech Republic's Skoda

April 17 (UPI) -- South Korea's Hankook Tire & Technology said Friday it signed a supply deal for Skoda's flagship model, the New Octavia.

Under the agreement, Hankook Tire's global brand Laufenn is to provide its second-generation summer performance tire, the S FIT2, as original equipment tires for the model.

Hankook Tire said that the Octavia has sustained solid demand across Europe and remains a key growth driver for the Czech automaker, which is under Volkswagen Group.

Supplied for a 17-inch fitment, the S FIT2 is designed for Europe's diverse climates and road conditions, offering stable driving performance and well-balanced handling, Hankook Tire said.

"The use of a high-content silica compound and an optimized tread block design enhances braking performance on wet roads, reducing braking distances by about 16% compared with previous models," the company said in a statement.

"An optimized structural design maintains a strong grip on high-temperature asphalt surfaces while minimizing vibration and noise during driving to deliver a more comfortable ride."

Hankook Tire launched the Laufenn brand in 2014 at the SEMA Show in the United States.

The share price of Hankook Tire edged down 0.99% on the Seoul bourse Friday.

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 9:27 AM.