THE STORY OF THE WINTER TIRE

Nokian Tyres invented the winter tire in 1934. Thanks to relentless testing and continuous innovation, the modern Nokian Tyres winter tire has taken the shape of the sustainable high-tech piece of safety equipment available for everyday driving today.

Nokian Tyres invented the winter tire in 1934. Thanks to relentless testing and continuous innovation, the modern Nokian Tyres winter tire has taken the shape of the sustainable high-tech piece of safety equipment available for everyday driving today.

TAKE A DIVE INTO THE evolution OF THE WINTER TIRE

From suction cups of the first winter tire to Aramid sidewalls and SilentDrive technology, the innovations on the Nokian Tyres winter tires are plentiful and evolving. Each new generation brings something new to the road, and with the aim of making driving sustainable and safe, we keep on pushing the limits every day.

Find your new winter tire

1934
The world’s first winter tire, Kelirengas, invented.
1936
The launch of the now legendary Hakkapeliitta winter tires.
1945
New tire factory built in Nokia, Finland where the heart and home of the Nokian Tyres product development is still located.
1956
Haka-Hakkapeliitta winter tire, with the tread increased to twice the size in order to provide grip on packed snow and ice, introduced.
1957
The first studs, Kometa studs, developed.
1980
Hakkapeliitta NR 09 winter tire, with the traditional suction cups replaced with a streamlined arrow pattern, introduced.
1986
The world's most northern test center Nokian Tyres' White Hell opened in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle.
1991
The launch of the first modern non-studded Hakkapeliitta winter tire.
2000
The unique innovation Driving Safety Indicator (DSI) introduced to all new Hakkapeliitta winter tires.
2008
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R non-studded winter tire is introduced.
2013
World record for fastest car on ice in time 335,713 km/h with the Hakkapeliitta 8 studded winter tire.
2014
The world’s first winter tire with pop-out studs, the Hakkapeliitta concept tire, introduced.
2014
Hakkapeliitta R2, the world's first winter tire designed specifically for electric cars and the world's first winter tire with an A energy rating, launched.
2015
The world’s first winter tire with wet grip and fuel efficiency in the EU tire label’s best A class, Nokian Tyres WR SUV 3, introduced.
2016
The world’s most energy-efficient winter tire, the winner of the Tire Technology of the Year award, Hakkapeliitta R2 launched.
2021
Hakkapeliitta 10 EV, the word’s first studded winter tire designed specifically for an electric cars, launched.
2021
Introducing the next-generation double-studded winter tire with 10/10 safety ratings from independent car magazine comparison tests: Hakkapeliitta 10
2022
A concept winter tire produced with industry leading 93% renewable or recycled materials: The Nokian Tyres Green Step.
2022
Introducing leading energy-efficiency with best-in-class non-studded grip on ice: Hakkapeliitta R5.

Making of the WINTER TIRE 

 How has the development work for new winter tires changed through the decades? Check out the videos of before and after!

NOKIAN TYRES TIRE DEVELOPMENT IN PROGRESS IN THE 1970'S AND NOW.

Nokian Tyres tires' blueprints being drawn then and now

Nokian Tyres development laboratory in the 1950's and now

Nokian Tyres tire testing on ice back then and the ice-tunnel in White Hell now

Nokian Tyres test driver at work in the 1970's and now

A Nokian Tyres winter tire in 1960's and the Hakkapeliitta R5 launched in 2022

Nokian Tyres winter tires providing safety for drivers through the decades