Nokia, Finland, 2014-01-22 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nokian Tyres plc Stock Exchange Release 22.1.2014 10:00
80 years since the invention of the winter tyre: The inventor of the world's first winter tyre introduces new Hakkapeliitta winter tyres for SUVs and vans
Nokian Tyres strengthens its winter tyre selection for Northern conditions by introducing three new products in its Hakkapeliitta winter tyre range which is intended for the company's core markets. Together with the product launch, the world's northernmost tyre manufacturer is celebrating the 80 th anniversary of the winter tyre. Nokian Tyres developed and manufactured the world's first winter tyre to match the Northern winter frost in 1934. Kelirengas (“Weather Tyre”), the first winter tyre, was designed for trucks. Two years later, the engineers at the tyre factory came up with a new solution for drivers of early passenger cars: the Snow-Hakkapeliitta, a true innovation that increased safety on slippery winter roads. Nowadays, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta is one of the best-known winter tyre brands wherever true winter is experienced. New generation of Hakkapeliittas revolutionises winter safety The studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV, tailor-made for the ever-growing sports utility vehicle segment, and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3, developed for use on vans and delivery vehicles, continue the advance of the latest generation of Hakkapeliittas.
- We are extremely happy about the enthusiasm that consumers have shown our new generation of Hakkapeliittas, which offers winter safety like never before. Our success in magazine tests was also astounding. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 passenger car tyre has won all but one of the magazine tests in the Nordic countries and Russia. The new products being introduced now utilise the same state of the art technology. These new winter products are the most modern in their fields, and their entire ranges will be available to new user groups during the autumn season of 2014, says Kim Gran, President and CEO for Nokian Tyres.
The sporty Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV studded tyre brings grip and durability like never before to winter roads. The Nokian Eco Stud 8 concept, first used in the test-winning Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8, provides grip like never before on ice and snow. Materials which are also used by the aerospace and defence industries optimise its durability. The supreme grip and durability provide maximum peace of mind for drivers who can now completely enjoy the performance of their SUV. The sturdy Nokian Hakkapeliitta C3 studded tyre makes everyday life easier for heavyweight professionals. This durable studded tyre has supreme mobility in harsh winter conditions, and in addition to the Hakkapeliitta-like, balanced winter grip, it also offers stable driving feel to its professional users. The new Nokian Hakkapeliitta CR3 Nordic non-studded winter tyre offers excellent winter grip and driving comfort. This lightly rolling non-studded tyre saves fuel and uses the Nokian Cryo Crystal concept, which is already employed in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 passenger car tyre, to provide a sizeable increase in winter grip.
New products will start shipping to retailers at the beginning of the year In addition to the Nokian Hakkapeliittas, the champions of the world's most demanding winter weather, Nokian Tyres is also supplementing its Nokian Nordman family and introducing the durable Nokian Nordman 5 and Nokian Nordman 5 SUV studded tyres for the B market segment.
Nokian Tyres is introducing the new Hakkapeliitta products to its most important interest groups at its own testing centre in Ivalo in the coming weeks. In addition to the launch in Ivalo, the Nordic countries and Russia will have their own promotional tours. All of the Hakkapeliitta products are aimed at the company’s core markets in the Nordic countries and Russia. The tyres will start shipping to retailers in early 2014.
The exact product information for the new products will be published in early February.
Nokian Tyres plc
Antti-Jussi Tähtinen Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Distribution: NASDAQ OMX, media and www.nokiantyres.com
Further information: Product Development Manager Juha Pirhonen, tel. +358 10 401 7708 juha.pirhonen@nokiantyres.com
