The world's first winter tire, and the predecessor of the Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta was the Kelirengas (“Weather Tire”) that Suomen Gummitehdas Osakeyhtiö, the company that later on became Nokian Tyres, introduced into the market in 1934.
The world's first winter tire, and the predecessor of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta was the Kelirengas (“Weather Tire”) that Suomen Gummitehdas Osakeyhtiö, the company that later on became Nokian Tyres, introduced into the market in 1934. This year marks the discovery of more than 80 years since the innovation of the first winter tire.
About 80 years ago, drivers received the world's first winter tires. The “Kelirengas” developed and manufactured by Nokian Tyres was the top product of its time – it was the first tire with a rough tread that could climb up the snowiest of roads.
Nowadays, it is obvious to everyone that we use winter tires in the Finnish winter, and switch to different tires for the summer. But this has not always been the case, since the winter tire is not even one hundred years old yet.
The Nokia rubber factory launched passenger car tire production in 1932 when the compressors and curing presses required for tire manufacture were ordered. The first Nokian tires featured four layers of fabric and a very flat surface, as if a board had been slammed on the tire.