SEOUL, South Korea (Jan. 18, 2010)—Hankook Tire Co. Ltd. reported record earnings on an 18-percent improvement in sales for its 2009 fiscal year.
The company said its consolidated operating earnings for fiscal 2009 reached $488.4 million on sales of $4.27 billion
The South Korean tire maker said it had a 54-percent increase in original equipment sales in China, resulting from the significant expansion of the nation's automobile market. Hankook also experienced substantial growth in aftermarket sales in South Korea and a 25-percent rise in sales in the Middle East.