| South Korea’s Kumho Tires has set their | | | | cars are known for the luxury and comfort that |
| sights on the OE business and it seems that they | | | | they offer to consumers. |
| have started to achiever their goal. Kumho’s | | | | Kumho will also be supplying tires to Chrysler. |
| improving standing in the global market was | | | | They have already started to supply the third |
| significantly raised by the recent announcement | | | | largest US car manufacturer with original |
| from DaimlerChrysler that their cars will be | | | | equipment tires. The Chrysler Sebring will be fitted |
| sporting Kumho tires. Both the Mercedes Benz | | | | with ECSTA KH11, asymmetric UHP (Ultra High |
| A-Class and the Chrysler Sebring will be fitted | | | | Performance) in size of 215/55R18. These tires |
| with high quality Kumho tires. The decision on the | | | | will provide the Sebring with exceptional steering |
| part of DaimlerChrysler to fit their vehicles with | | | | performance, as exceptional as the performance |
| Kumho tires was arrived at after Kumho was | | | | of a Volvo valve cover gasket. The tire also |
| able to meet DaimlerChrysler’s technical and | | | | produces less noise which makes it suitable for |
| quality criteria when it comes to such critical parts | | | | high performance cars. The said tires already |
| of a vehicle. | | | | received much recognition after it placed third in |
| The announcement from the carmaker made | | | | the tire test conducted by AUTO EXPRESS, a |
| Kumho the first Korean tire manufacturer to | | | | famous British automobile journal. |
| supply the renowned brand that is the Mercedes | | | | A statement made by Kumho after they are |
| Benz. They will supply the SOLUS KH15 in size 185 | | | | chosen to outfit the Sebring with high |
| 65R15 for the Mercedes Benz A-Class which will | | | | performance tires says: “Kumho Tires has |
| be manufactured at DaimlerChrysler’s | | | | been chosen as original equipment tire supplier to |
| assembly plant in Rastatt. The tires from Kumho | | | | Chrysler as it has secured a good market share in |
| will bear the MO symbol which means that they | | | | the UHP replacement market in the US and got |
| are approved fitment for Mercedes Benz cars. | | | | good a good score in terms of technological |
| This development is a huge boost on the part of | | | | capability and quality”. |
| Kumho in their quest to make their brand more | | | | "We are delighted that we have been awarded |
| competitive globally. This will also boost their | | | | this contract by DaimlerChrysler and look forward |
| confidence in the global original equipment business. | | | | to continuing to develop high quality tires for one |
| This might be the start of a new era since the | | | | of the world's finest car manufacturers,” says |
| development opens up an area for them where | | | | H.S. Lee President of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH. |
| they have never been before. | | | | "We intend to focus increasingly on the growth of |
| The tires are developed mainly by Kumho’s | | | | our OE business in the future. This contract is |
| technical center which is based in Birmingham, UK. | | | | bound to make an important contribution to the |
| The developers of the tires aimed to give the | | | | strength of the Kumho brand in the global market |
| tires the ability to maintain its optimum level of | | | | and will boost recognition of the quality and |
| performance on any weather condition. The tires | | | | technological capability of our products,” Lee |
| also are designed to have low rolling resistance | | | | added. |
| and provide ride refinement. The tires are | | | | The deal made by Kumho Tires with the |
| developed specially for the A-Class and they were | | | | DaimlerChrysler AG may be the start of more |
| made with new tread compounds and casing | | | | car manufacturers using Kumho tires for their |
| materials to ensure that it will provide the best | | | | vehicle. Kumho Tires has yet a long way to go to |
| possible performance which will complement the | | | | but they have made the crucial first step. |
| car’s performance. After all, Mercedes Benz | | | | |