Our company is making history right in front of our eyes, as the new facility at the Rácalmás plant is scheduled to begin manufacturing premium tires in the second half of 2026 — tires that will make global freight transport and transportation safer and more efficient. Given the many tire variants we produce, the question arises: why are truck tires a “different world” compared to passenger car tires? Let’s take a look behind the scenes!
Size and load: everything is bigger here
The first thing that immediately stands out is the size. A bus or truck tire can be two to three times larger than a passenger car tire. The reason is simple: commercial vehicles carry several tons of cargo or passengers, so the tires are designed to withstand heavy axle loads and long, steady driving over extended periods. For example, the total weight of a truck, including its load, can reach 40 tons, while an average passenger car weighs barely one and a half tons.
For passenger car tires, the focus is primarily on comfort, a quiet ride, and good road grip. For truck and bus tires, however, durability is the top priority. These tires must perform over tens of thousands of kilometers, often under varying weather and road conditions. For this reason, the tread is thicker, and the pattern is designed to withstand heavy use.
The end of a passenger car tire’s life is usually marked by tread wear — at which point we simply replace them, though few people know that in certain cases these can also be retreaded. With truck tires, however, this is a much more common practice. In fact, the first step in extending their lifespan is often “regrooving,” which involves recutting the tread with a special knife according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This can increase mileage by up to 25 percent. When the tire wears out even after this, retreading may follow, which involves applying a new tread layer to the load-bearing carcass. The retreaded tire can then be regrooved again if necessary, further extending its service life. This is an economical and environmentally friendly solution that significantly reduces tire waste.
The development and manufacturing of truck tires involve a number of additional specific requirements. For example, regulations are often stricter and more detailed than those for passenger cars. These include, among other things, the load index and the marking system for dual-tire configurations.
New vehicle types emerging with the transformation of transportation also present new challenges. Hankook is a pioneer in this area as well: the company was among the first to develop a tire specifically designed for electric buses, which will also be manufactured in Rácalmás in the future. For these tires, low noise levels, higher vehicle weight, and the instant torque of electric motors are all important considerations during development. Although the market for electric commercial vehicles is still in its infancy, development in this area is ongoing.
For passenger car tires, grip, noise, and comfort are the most important factors, while for truck tires, the focus is on load capacity, durability, and cost-effective operation. Low rolling resistance plays a key role in this, contributing to reduced fuel consumption, reliable wet grip, and lower external noise levels — all characteristics that are crucial for both the efficiency and safety of modern transportation. As the cornerstone of freight transport and public transportation, these tires are the engine of the economy. The production line currently under construction will enable Hankook Tire to drive this engine in the future, thanks to its cutting-edge technology and expertise.
