Nexen Tire Opens Test Center in Finland... Targeting Europe’s Winter Tire Market

by Choi Youngchan

Published 23 Feb.2026 08:17(KST)

In-house research facilities and dedicated tracks secured...enhanced certification testing environment

Nexen Tire announced on the 23rd that it has opened the “Purple Snow Ivalro Center,” a winter and all-season tire test center in Ivalo, Finland, and has begun full-scale operations.

Group commemorative photo at Nexen Tire's 'Purple Snow Ibalro Center'. Nexen Tire

The new test center has been established within the UTAC proving ground near the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Europe. Nexen Tire has set up its own facilities, including a winter road surface characteristics laboratory, and is operating dedicated test tracks under a long-term lease, such as a snow-handling track with various gradients and curves.

Europe is a core market that accounts for more than 40% of Nexen Tire’s sales. In particular, as major countries such as Germany have made the installation of the 3PMSF winter tire certification mandatory, technological responsiveness has become increasingly important. Nexen Tire has also secured a durability evaluation test track for studded tires designed for driving on icy roads in extremely cold regions, and plans to strategically respond to local demand in Europe.

The new center also serves to connect virtual development with real-vehicle testing. With the high-dynamic driving simulator introduced last year, the company can now immediately cross-verify predicted performance through actual driving on snow-covered roads. Nexen Tire plans to further advance this into virtual development technology combined with artificial intelligence (AI), thereby expanding opportunities to participate in original equipment (OE) tire projects for new vehicles.

Along with the establishment of this test center, Nexen Tire is diversifying its strategy to target the European market. Last year, it launched the new winter product “Winguard Sport 3,” and is expanding the size range of the all-season “N’blue 4Season 2.” The company is also strengthening its sales infrastructure in key hubs such as Germany, Italy, and France, while simultaneously pursuing expansion into non-European markets including Australia and Japan.

A Nexen Tire official said, “This new test center will become a base that elevates our research and development capabilities by combining its northernmost location with the expertise of a specialized operator,” adding, “We will continue to enhance our testing and research capabilities to meet global market demands and thereby strengthen our market competitiveness.”