Nexen Tire Receives 'Very Recommendable' Rating from Auto Bild Test

-- Nexen N'blue HD placed 4th in performance test conducted by Germany's prestigious automobile magazine, Auto Bild

-- The test results reflect Nexen Tire's commitment to research and development for enhancing product performance

SEOUL, South Korea, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexen Tire, a global leading tire manufacturer, announced today that its N'blue HD received a 'Very recommendable' rating for superior performance shown in tests conducted by Auto Bild, a German automobile magazine. The tire ranked 4^th in overall performance.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150320/183408

On March 20, Auto Bild published the final results from a two-staged test on 185/60 R 15 summer tires from 53 tire makers fitted on a Volkswagen Polo. The final tests were performed on the top 18 tires selected from the first stage for outstanding performance. The magazine conducts a variety of performance tests on cars and tires, and these test results are seen as highly reliable sources amongst European consumers.

"It is thrilling to see the test result by Auto Bild, as it confirms our eco-friendly ultra-high performance tire, N'blue HD, positioned at the top of its class in terms of braking distance," said Han Min-hyun, Vice President, Research and Development. He added, "The tire has been acknowledged for its steering stability and fuel efficiency in the European market, and this test's result adds another proof point for its excellence in performance."

He also emphasized, "We will continue our efforts on research and development to further strengthen the product competitiveness and become the global leading tire manufacture."

From the test, Nexen Tire's N'blue HD proved itself to be an ideal summer tire with multifaceted quality by scoring well in various categories including handling, braking distance, hydroplaning resistance, and noise on both wet and dry surfaces. The tire was highly distinguished with the shortest braking distance on dry surface at 35.7m.

The N'blue HD is an eco-friendly performance tire, and it proved its excellence in not just the performance criteria but also in design by winning Special Mention in German Design Award 2015 sponsored by the German Design Council. Also, the tire received the highest score for its steering stability on wet roads and hydroplaning performance in tests conducted by Auto Express, a British auto magazine in 2012.

Nexen Tire currently offers world-class Original Equipment tires to various types of vehicles of global leading car manufacturers including FCA, Volkswagen Group, GM, Renault-Nissan Alliance, and Hyundai Kia Motors.

The company currently owns four cutting-edge research facilities in Korea, China, the United States, and Europe and three manufacturing facilities, two in Korea and another one in Qingdao, China. By 2018, a new plant will be constructed in Zatec, Czech Republic to cater to increasing demands in the European market.

About Nexen Tire

Nexen Tire, established in 1942, is a global tire manufactuer headquartered in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, and in Seoul, South Korea. Nexen Tire, one of the world's fastest growing tire manufacturers, has 205 dealers based in approximately 130 countries around the world and owns three manufacturing plants – two in Korea (Yangsan and Changnyeong) and one in Qingdao, China. Another plant in Zatec, Czech Republic will be under operation by 2018. Nexen Tire produces tires for passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks with advanced technology and excellence in design. The company also focuses on producing UHP tires, which are based on advanced technologies. Nexen Tire supplies OE tires to global car makers in various countries around the world. In 2014, the company achieved a grand slam of the world's top 4 design awards for the first time amongst the various tire makers in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.nexentire.com.