Hankook Ramps Tennessee Truck-Tire Production
Hankook says its Clarksville, Tenn., truck and bus radial line is running at 30% of capacity and should reach 1 million tires a year by the end of 2027.
Hankook Tire North America is ramping commercial truck-tire production at its Clarksville, Tenn., plant, giving fleets another domestic supply point for steer, drive, and bus tire programs.
Transport Topics reported that truck tire manufacturing at the site is now running at 30% of capacity after operations began in May. CEO Rob Williams said Phase 3 of the plant is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2027.
One Million Tires At Full Capacity
At full run rate, the truck and bus radial operation is expected to produce 1 million tires a year. Hankook said 85%-90% of its truck tires sold in the U.S. should come from Clarksville by the end of 2027, replacing a model that previously depended on South Korean production for U.S. commercial-vehicle customers.
The broader Clarksville investment totals $1.6 billion, including passenger and light-truck tire expansion. When Phase 3 is complete, the site is expected to employ about 2,600 people.
More SKUs Coming
The plant is currently producing four tread patterns and plans to add four more in September. Hankook has also been expanding its fleet-focused sales team and points of sale, according to the report.
The timing matters because the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association now expects 2026 truck-tire demand to fall 5.5% from 2025. For fleets, the Clarksville ramp is less about a demand boom and more about availability, sourcing resilience, and whether replacement programs can get the right tire at the right time.
