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Hankook Tire Wins Prestigious Ford QR ZERO 2025 Award for Quality Excellence
Leading global tire manufacturer Hankook Tire & Technology (Hankook Tire) has announced that it received Ford’s 2025 QR ZERO Award at a ceremony held on March 25
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Hankook Tire Wins Prestigious Ford QR ZERO 2025 Award for Quality Excellence
Leading global tire manufacturer Hankook Tire & Tec...
Hankook Launches the A/T2 Version of Its Laufenn X-Fit
South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook Tire & Techn...
Nokian Launches a Winter Tire with Retractable Studs
From its winter testing center in Ivalo, Finland, winte...
Éric Descarries
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The Controversial Studded Tires
Éric Descarries
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If you have customers who say they feel more confident with studded tires, you can always try to convince them to opt for the latest studless winter tires, which manufacturers now market as “studded without studs.” These are clearly premium products with softer rubber compounds, designed to technically replace metal studs.
That said, studded tires are still available on the market—but caution is needed. Several manufacturers offer highly specialized studded models. This setup requires that studs be factory-installed, sometimes using special techniques (for example, Continental’s studded tires are not only factory-installed but also glued to reduce the risk of studs coming loose, which can still happen).
Take Nokian, for example, which offers the high-performance Hakkapeliitta 10 studded model, or Michelin, which produces a studded version of its recent X-Ice Snow under the name North (manufactured in Canada!). Add to that Toyo’s G3-Ice, Pirelli’s Winter Ice Zero, and General’s Altimax Arctic 12. Most other manufacturers prefer to market “studdable” winter tires, which dealers or garages can stud themselves.
However, be sure to warn your customers that such tires are only legal on the road during a specific period (from October 15 to May 1 in Quebec for vehicles under 3,000 kg). In addition, studded tires may not be allowed in many underground (or above-ground) parking facilities, as they can damage the floor finish.
Studded tires are permitted in most North American provinces and states for visiting tourists, but before traveling, it’s best to check with local authorities. Generally, studded tires should only be considered if a driver regularly travels on icy roads, often in northern Quebec.
Otherwise, customers should understand that reasonably priced studded tires are usually of lower quality compared to the specialized products offered by major manufacturers mentioned above.
Nokian Hakkapelliitta 10
Premium Finnish-made winter tire, factory-studded.
Continental XTRM
German-engineered studded tire with factory-glued studs for extra security.
Michelin X-Ice North
High-quality studded tire, manufactured in Canada, based on the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
Éric Descarries
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