Kumho cooperating with Chinese government on Tianjin production, recall announced

Kumho Tires has announced a voluntary recall of certain tyres in China after the company’s head of research and quality control visited the Tianjin passenger car tyre factory to investigate production processes. The tyre maker reports the visiting team carried out a thorough investigation and “partly confirmed that internal production standards were not strictly observed at the site.” In addition to the abovementioned product recall, Kumho has taken disciplinary action against the head of the Tianjin factory and those employees found to be involved in negligent quality control. All product-related claims will be dealt with “solely from the customers’ point of view,” the company adds.

At present, Kumho Tires is cooperating with the Chinese government, who is conducting a sample tyre test and production fairness investigation in the Tianjin factory. The Chinese government will announce the results of this later this week. However Kumho reassures consumers that the ‘rework rubber’ reported by CCTV, the residue of rubber resulting from tyre production, does not affect tyre safety and is used by all tyre manufacturers; for this reason it says the expression used during the CCTV reportage – “disqualified half-finished product” – is inappropriate.

The manufacturer states the CCTV broadcast provided it with “an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to quality control in the Chinese market and the importance of production process management to be in line with global standards.” Kumho adds that, from now on, it will “adhere strictly” to its internal production standards, so as to “do our best in taking on the role and responsibility of a global tyre corporation.”