Kumho’s Ecowing ES31 has been selected as the standard tyre for the latest version of the Ibiza, Seat’s bestselling model. The compact hatchback will run on size 185/65R15 88H tyres. The new deal continues the South Korean tyre manufacturer’s 14-year relationship with the VW Group. Kumho began supplying OE fitments for the Volkswagen Polo in 2006.
Kumho is opening a major new tyre warehouse in Hamburg, Germany with leading European logistics company Fiege. Located adjacent to the city’s harbour, Kumho states the new facility will allow it to supply stock to the majority of German tyre dealers within 24 hours. It will also supply some Kumho distributors in Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria. Fiege Logistics will be responsible for all warehouse processes, including tyre handling from the arrival of product by container to delivery and shipment tracking.
Drumroll please…more awards for Kumho tyres. Hot on the heels of the Good Design awards in Japan for the Kumho Majesty 9 and Ecsta PA51 patterns and the iF Design awards in Germany for the Majesty 9 and WinterCraft Wi51, the three abovementioned tyres have all been honoured with the Good Design Award of North America.
Kumho’s long-standing relationship with Volkswagen has continued with the fitment of Kumho’s ecowing ES31 pattern on its 2020 Polo model. Specially tailored for the car, the 185/65R15 tyre is Kumho’s first ultra-low rolling resistance version of the ES31, with A-grade fuel efficiency and wet grip on the EU label. The 2001 Polo was Kumho’s first major European motor manufacturer OE contract.
In recent years, the products of Korean tyre producer Kumho Tire have received a number of iF, Red Dot, IDEA and Good Design awards. Now the company has added two more Good Design awards into its already bulging trophy cabinet. The patterns recognised on this occasion are both passenger car products – the Majesty 9 Solus TA91 and ECSTA PA51.
The latest global tyre market share figures from tyre industry analyst Astutus Research show how long-established, leading players headquartered in Japan, Europe, and North America have seen their volume share diminish, while Chinese, ASEAN, and selected other markets’ tyre manufacturers’ share has risen. The analyst states that in aggregate, the ten leading PCLT tyre manufacturers based in Japan, Europe and North America (J-E-NA) have lost almost 6 percentage points of market share since the end of 2011 (OE and replacement segments combined, volumes in tyre units). In part this reflects a strategic choice of some to focus on the higher value premium segments of the market.
Fans of Czech First League club FK Mladá Boleslav will see a lot more of Kumho Tyre in future. As exclusive tyre partner for the coming three years, Kumho Tyre gains a logo presence on the back of players’ shirts and the front of their shorts during all First League and cup matches as well as on digital signage along the length of the playing field. The sponsorship arrangement also covers hospitality options and a presence within the club’s media activities.
The latest eco-friendly offering from Kumho is the Ecowing ES31. This successor to the KH27 is now available in a total of 46 sizes for 14- to 17-inch rim diameters, and around 70 percent of these carry an EU label grade of ‘B’ for rolling resistance. The sizes include all key fitments for bestselling small and medium-sized hatchbacks and saloons such as the VW Polo and Golf, Fiat 500, Audi A1, A2, A3 and A4, BMW 1 and 2 Series, Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.
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.
Zufall Logistics of Germany has set up a subsidiary to consolidate its tyre logistics services in the country. Zufall Tire Logistics will take over the services previously handled by sister company Müller + Partner. The company is reportedly serving customers including Korean suppliers Hankook Reifen Deutschland and Kumho Tire Europe.
Kumho
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Stephen Goodchild
