Hankook Tire Successfully Concludes IAA Transportation 2026, the World’s Largest Commercial Vehicle Exhibition

- Unveils three new products, including Smart Control AW53 and DW53 winter tires and the Smart Flex TH51 trailer tire
- Enhances tire performance with SMARTEC TBR technology, while Hidden Groove technology extends tire life by up to 15%
- Showcases a diverse range of products tailored to different transport applications, including Smart Line for long-haul transport and e-SMART City for electric city buses

Seoul, Korea, September 23, 2026 — A leading global tire company Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) successfully concluded its participation in IAA Transportation 2026, the world’s largest commercial vehicle exhibition, held in Hanover, Germany, from September 15 to 20 (local time), where it unveiled three new products.

The three new products unveiled at IAA Transportation are the Smart Control AW53 and DW53 winter tires and the Smart Flex TH51 trailer tire for regional and long-distance applications. All three products feature SMARTEC (Smart + Technology), Hankook Tire’s advanced TBR technology system designed to enhance five key performance areas: safety, mileage, anti-chip and cut resistance, retreadability, and braking performance.

The new Smart Control AW53 and DW53 winter tires are optimized for steer and drive axles, respectively, and are specifically engineered for commercial vehicles to deliver outstanding grip and braking performance in harsh winter conditions, including on snowy and icy roads. In particular, Hankook Tire’s in-house testing at its Ivalo proving ground in Finland demonstrated significant improvements in snow braking, acceleration, and handling performance compared with the previous generation.

In addition, the tires feature Hidden Groove technology, designed to deliver optimal performance as the tread wears, maintaining outstanding braking and traction performance throughout the tire’s service life while extending tire life by up to 15%.

The Smart Flex TH51, also unveiled at the exhibition, is designed to maximize transport efficiency through high mileage and low rolling resistance. Its zigzag grooves and drainage channels ensure optimal water evacuation across a wide range of weather conditions. The tire also incorporates Hidden Groove technology enabled by 3D-printed tread molds, maintaining consistent grip and performance through the final stage of its service life.

In addition, Hankook Tire showcased a wide range of products and services tailored to different transport applications, including Smart Line for long-haul transport, e-SMART City for electric city buses, the LF95+ trailer tire from its Laufenn brand, the Alphatread retread tire solution, and the Hankook Smart Fleet tire management solution.

Meanwhile, Hankook Tire continues to participate in major commercial vehicle exhibitions across Europe, including the Road Transport Expo in the U.K., Transport Logistic in Germany, and The Tire Cologne, expanding its engagement with local markets while enhancing its technological competitiveness and brand awareness in the global TBR market.