KartRider Rush+ x Hankook Tire: Nexon’s Electrifying Partnership Drives New EV-Themed Content

Nexon’s globally successful mobile racing title, KartRider Rush+ (KRR+), has once again made headlines in the mobile gaming sector with the launch of a new, high-profile collaboration event with Hankook Tire, the renowned South Korean tire manufacturer. This partnership, which commenced in late October 2025, strategically focuses on Hankook Tire’s exclusive Electric Vehicle (EV) tire brand, iON, merging real-world automotive technology with the vibrant world of mobile kart racing.

The collaboration is a masterstroke in brand synergy, designed to elevate the visibility of the iON EV Tire line among a massive, young, and globally engaged gaming audience. For KartRider Rush+ players, this event injects a rush of fresh, high-value content, underscoring Nexon’s commitment to providing a constantly evolving and highly profitable mobile game experience.

The New Content: Karts, Cosmetics, and Community Events

The KartRider Rush+ Hankook Tire collaboration features an extensive array of exclusive in-game items and events that are available for a limited time, primarily running through October 31 to November 26, 2025. The content is directly inspired by the cutting-edge design and performance of the Hankook iON EV tire, including elements from the official tire for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The core additions to the game include:

• The iON Kart: A new highlight kart engineered with the motif of Hankook Tire’s iON brand. This EV-themed kart is designed to reflect the unique technology and signature aesthetics of the real-world tire, offering a fresh competitive edge in speed racing.
• Exclusive Themed Items: Racers can customize their look with the new “Hankook Tire” Suit, a thematic outfit, along with the “Hankook Tire” Plate accessory. Cosmetic items are a critical driver of microtransaction revenue in the freemium model.
• iON Driftmojis and Accessories: New expressive in-game communication tools, such as the iON Driftmojis and the Flying iON Bazzi accessory, allow players to showcase their participation in the brand partnership event.
• iON Shards Event: Players can earn iON Kart Tire Shards by completing various daily missions, such as joining Ranked Races or simply staying logged in. These shards can be traded in until November 26 for exclusive rewards like the iON Headband, iON Handheld, the Hankook Tire Plate, and Season Coins.

A Winning Partnership: Marketing and Revenue Synergies

This event is a prime example of a successful mobile game brand partnership, a strategy increasingly favored by developers to acquire new users and increase user engagement. For Nexon, the collaboration brings:

1. User Acquisition & Retention: The novelty of a real-world automotive brand tie-in re-engages existing players and attracts new users interested in electric vehicles and high-performance racing, utilizing high CPC keywords like ‘EV technology’ and ‘racing car’.

2. Diversified Monetization: While the kart and some cosmetics are earnable through in-game events, the overall hype surrounding a limited-time collaboration drives sales of other in-game currencies and passes to speed up progress, directly impacting mobile game revenue and player LTV.

3. Brand Perception: By linking KartRider Rush+ with a reputable, innovative brand like Hankook Tire, the game reinforces its image as a dynamic and leading figure in the mobile racing game genre. Hankook Tire, in turn, gains exposure to millions of potential future customers, familiarizing them with the iON brand in a fun, non-traditional environment.

The Trend of Real-World Automotive Collaborations in Mobile Gaming

The KartRider franchise is no stranger to automotive collaborations. This is the third major partnership for the franchise, following successful events with Porsche and a previous collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company in early 2025. These events highlight a significant trend in the freemium gaming market:

• Metaverse Marketing: Games like KartRider Rush+ are acting as a “mini-metaverse” for real-world brands, providing an interactive, low-barrier-to-entry space for consumers to “experience” a product (like an EV tire or concept car) in a digital environment.
• Targeted Demographics: By selecting a title popular with younger demographics, manufacturers are building brand affinity early, securing future market share for high-ticket items like new cars and high-performance tires.
• Digital Asset Value: The exclusivity of the digital karts and accessories makes them valuable collectibles within the game’s economy, boosting the perceived value of the partnership. The strategic use of terms like “exclusive in-game content” drives high search and advertising demand.

In Conclusion: A High-Octane Event for KRR+ Racers

The KartRider Rush+ X Hankook Tire collaboration is a powerful convergence of mobile gaming and automotive innovation. It provides KartRider Rush+ players with exciting, high-quality, and time-limited content while cementing the game’s reputation as a key platform for major brand activations. Racers are advised to log in and participate in the shard-earning events immediately to secure the exclusive iON-themed rewards before the event concludes on November 26.