The company outlined its results and future plans at a recent dealer meeting in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
 
Worldwide sales for parent company Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. were also up, reaching nearly $3 billion in 2006 vs. $2.5 billion in 2005, according to Hankook officials.
 
“For 2007, we expect more of the same, with our U.S. sales forecasted to jump to $672 million for another double-digit percentage increase,” said Greg Pae, the recently installed president of Hankook Tire America Corp.
 
Pae said Hankook’s new plant in Hungary will be coming on stream in 2007 with an initial capacity of five million units, bringing the company’s global capacity to more than 75 million units by the end of 2008.
 
Pae also outlined Hankook’s initiatives for 2007, including a consumer tire comparison program, a new “Tame the Road” advertising campaign, continued grassroots and professional racing support, and the launch of Hankook’s Mobile Marketing Exhibition, a customized interactive exhibit that will visit Formula Drift and Time Attack competitions and major league baseball parks that carry Hankook signage.
 
“Our advertising in enthusiast publications based around a ‘Performance Perfection’ theme encouraged more consumers to consider Hankook Ventus and Dynapro tires,” said Bill Bainbridge, director of brand communications. "In combination with our baseball signage and expanding motorsports activities and numerous dealer support programs, Hankook aggressively continues to build brand awareness with consumers and brand equity with our dealers in the North American market.”