US-based industrial union the United Steelworkers reports that it now represents approximately 325 workers at the Kumho Tire factory in Macon, Georgia. The workforce’s status as a bargaining unit comes almost two years after an initial vote on the matter was held.
The Kia range recently grew with the arrival of the Seltos. The compact SUV officially debuted in India on 20 June, and in addition to spearheading Kia’s planned growth in that market, Seltos models will be exported around the world. The Seltos is heading our away soon and will reach Europe from September. It will be wearing Kumho tyres when it arrives in showrooms.
Kumho Tire has produced the world’s first 20-inch, 45 profile tyre for light commercial vehicles, and is supplying it as an original equipment fitment for the Hyundai H350 in global markets. Purchasers of the Hyundai van who select the Kumho tyre will receive the PorTran KC53 in size 245/45 R20 C 115/113R.
On 1 May, Namwook Jung took over as head of Kumho Tire Italia. He joined the Italian operation after leading the tyre maker’s business in Germany since December 2017.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced today that it has fined Kumho Tire and Nexen Tire for forcing South Korean retailers to sell tyres at or above specific set prices.
Kumho Tire reports that models of the BMW X3 manufactured at the BMW America plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina are being fitted with the Kumho Crugen HP91 as original equipment. The sport activity vehicle rides on the Crugen in size 245/50R19 105W; the tyres are manufactured at Kumho’s Gwangju plant in South Korea.
It may not be the best-selling Korean tyre brand worldwide, but at home Kumho outsells its domestic rivals. Data from the Korea Tire Manufacturers Association (KOTMA) indicates that 6.52 million replacement market Kumho tyres were sold in South Korea in 2018. This is more than 40 per cent of all locally-made tyres sold in the country.
Kumho Tire has once again been selected as an original equipment supplier to Mercedes-Benz. The latest generation of its G-Class model, produced in Graz, Austria, is factory fitted with Kumho’s Solus KL21 SUV tyres in size 265/60 R18 110H.
The partnership between Kumho Tire and Tottenham Hotspur FC that began in 2016 has been extended for a further three years from the start of the 2018/19 season. A new agreement covering this was signed yesterday afternoon at the football club’s training centre in the presence of executive director Donna-Maria Cullen and first-team players Heung-min Son, Victor Wanyama, Fernando Llorente and Kieran Trippier.
Under a technology transfer agreement signed with Pakistan-based battery manufacturer Century Engineering Industries, South Korean tyre maker Kumho Tire will provide technological and manufacturing know-how as Century establishes its own tyre production plant. The agreement signed in Seoul today covers the ten-year period to September 2028; Century Engineering will initially pay Kumho Tire US$5 million and 2.5 per cent of turnover for the assistance provided, with the contract scheduled for review after five years.
With immediate effect, Kyungtai Ju has been appointed the new president of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH. He replaces Changrin Suk, who will return to Kumho’s Korean headquarters with responsibility for global sales.
Building upon a successful working relationship that began two decades ago, Kumho Tire has appointed R H Claydon to handle its truck tyre distribution requirements for the whole of the UK mainland.
A new beginning, and also an end: 6 July, the date on which Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire was officially completed, was also the day a full stop was placed behind more than four years of technological cooperation between Yokohama Rubber and Kumho Tire. In a statement issued today, Yokohama Rubber informs that it terminated these tie-ups according to their terms and condition following the change in Kumho Tire’s controlling shareholder.
A ceremony was held on 6 July to mark to completion of Doublestar Tire’s acquisition of a 45 per cent share in Kumho Tire. The event in Seoul was titled ‘Celebrating New Beginning’ and was attended by the Chinese and South Korean tyre makers’ management teams as well as representatives from Korea Development Bank, which together with other creditors still maintains a 23 per cent share in Kumho Tire.
The Volkswagen Atlas is not just the newest member of the VW family, it is also the largest. The seven-seater SUV is primarily aimed at the North American market; however, this heavyweight is also expected to attract buyers in markets such as China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Kumho Tire reports that its Kumho Crugen Premium KL33 has been selected as an original equipment tyre for the Atlas, with models rolling off the Volkswagen production line in Chattanooga, Tennessee fitted with the tyre in size 245/60 R18 105T.
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