Kumho Breaks Ground for Third China Plant

(Akron/Tire Review) Kumho Tire Co. has broken ground for its third plant in China, a $150 million facility to be located in Changchun in the northeast. Once operational in 2007, the plant will have an annual capacity of 3.15 million tyres. “We aim to become a leader in the Chinese market as well as one of the world’s top five tyremakers,” said Kumho Asiana Group chairman Park Sam-koo at the groundbreaking ceremony in Changchun.

Kumho said it will use the plant to supply most of the OE needs of China First Automotive Group. Kumho’s other plants in China include one in Nanjing with a 12 million tyre annual capacity, and a 5.25 million tyre plant in Tianjin that will come on-stream in June.