Kumho Becomes a New York Cab Supplier

Kumho Tires reports it is “excited to have its beloved tyres sported by the iconic yellow taxicabs of New York City.” Recently Kumho Tire USA announced it has been providing tyres to New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYTLC), an agency that regulates New York City’s yellow taxicabs. The South Korean manufacturer’s products are being fitted as replacement tyres to yellow cabs operating in Manhattan, joining several other replacement tyre manufacturers, including Goodyear, Pirelli, Michelin and Continental, which also supply the taxis.

“We have supplied two thousand tyres to NYTLC since 2008, we expect the amount of supply to continually increase through local distributors for years to come,” said a Kumho Tires official. Currently around 1,500 yellow cabs ply the streets of Manhattan, assuring the tyre maker a steady stream of business.

“In order to reinforce its worldwide status, Kumho Tires is competing with global tyre companies such as Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli in the world’s most fierce battle ground, New York City. It is a significant achievement for Kumho Tires to have Korean products equipped on Yellow Cab of New York City,” said J.B. Kim, president of Kumho Tire USA.

New York City has been carrying out a plan to replace the city’s yellow taxicabs with cleaner hybrid vehicles since 2007. This environment protection plan, says Kumho, aligns well with its focus on sustainable development of eco-friendly products. The company attributes its business relationship with yellow taxicabs to strategically tapping into the public sector niche while the US auto industry was in turmoil due to cutbacks at the top vehicle manufacturers. The tyre maker also comments that it recognises the northeast region of the US as a key area for the automotive industry, a region in which it intends to focus on building stable sales channels and other basis in order to set a foothold for future growth.