NEU-ISENBURG, Germany—Hankook has significantly expanded its testing and development capabilities in Europe with a new center in Spain.
The tire maker said it commissioned the new test center on the premises of long-time partner Applus+ IDIADA Group, an engineering company providing design, testing and homologation services to the automotive industry, according to a statement.
The site is located 37 miles southwest of Barcelona and includes a wet handling track developed on Hankook's recommendations.
According to Hankook, the facility also serves European premium car manufacturers, which will use the tracks for their own demanding tests.
The center has been equipped with "the most modern, automated and completely paperless test logistics, from the recording of results to storage and transport processing," Hankook said.
The office space accommodates a team of 20 Hankook technicians in Spain, affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Center in Germany.
"With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA," said Klaus Krause, head of the European R&D Center in Hanover.
The facility will enable Hankook to "conduct significantly more tests on site," he said.
