Last Updated on 19.11.2024 by hrushetskyy
Initially named Samyang Tire and established in 1960 in Southern Korea, today Kumho Tires is owned by Chinese Doublestar. The acquisition happened in 2018 to boost the company’s growth and liquidity. Kumho Tires has a vast presence in the U.S. thanks to a developed network of dealerships and the long presence of this tire brand on the American market. You can buy Kumho tires from your local dealers, in mega malls like Costco and Walmart, or our online tire shop, featuring over 1,800 tires of different categories.
A brief history of Kumho Tires
Kumho Tires was established in 1960, after the Korean War, a period marked by economic hardship and reconstruction in South Korea. The company was founded by Park In-chon, a visionary entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to contribute to rebuilding the country’s economy through the automotive sector.
Park In-chon was born in 1901 in South Korea. He was a man of humble beginnings but possessed a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Before founding Kumho, Park had already established a successful transportation business, which laid the groundwork for his venture into tire manufacturing. His vision was to create a tire company that could compete globally, and his leadership, as we see it today, helped him achieve his goals.
In its early years, Kumho Tires focused on producing tires for passenger vehicles, capitalizing on the growing demand for automobiles in South Korea. The company’s first tire factory was set up in Yangdong, Gwangju, and it quickly gained a reputation for producing durable and reliable tires. The Gwangju Plant is one of the three manufacturing facilities in South Korea.
By the 1970s, Kumho had established itself as a leading tire manufacturer in South Korea.
The brand’s expansion into international markets began in the 1990s. Kumho set up manufacturing plants in China, Vietnam, and the United States. Today, Kumho Tires operates in over 180 countries, with a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia. The company has three manufacturing facilities in South Korea, including the Gwangju Plant, Pyeongtaek, and Gokseong.
Kumho Tires today… and tomorrow
Today, Kumho Tires is a global leader in the tire industry and the 16th largest tire manufacturer globally. It prioritizes innovation and high-quality tires for all types of vehicles and driving conditions. With over 10,000 employees and multiple manufacturing plants worldwide, including three plants in China, Kumho produces over 62 million tires annually! The company plans to reach the 74 million tires threshold by 2027 by building a modern European facility. Currently, the candidates are Romania, Serbia, Portugal, and Turkey.
Establishing a presence in the US: Kumho Tires’ global network
Shortly after its founding, Kumho Tires started establishing relationships with the US in 1963. Officially, the company entered the US market in 1975, marking the start of its exports to the U.S. Over the years, the brand expanded its presence by opening a technical center in Akron, Ohio, in 1990, which played a key role in innovation and strengthening Kumho’s presence in America, followed by relocating its main US headquarters to Rancho Cucamonga, California, in 2005. In 2015, the headquarters moved again to Atlanta, Georgia, where it remains today.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kumho Tire USA saw a remarkable 15% increase in sales in 2023, even as the overall market declined. Strong support and trust from its international dealer network largely contributed to this growth.
Opening its first US plant in Macon, Georgia, in 2016 further solidified Kumho’s commitment to the North American market. The plant is strategically located near major automotive manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia, which helps the tire manufacturer easily access the original equipment. The facility has an Automated Production Unit designed to increase production effectiveness (the current capacity stands about 4 million tires annually).
Kumho Tires near me: Kumho Tire shops and dealerships in the US
Finding Kumho tires in the US is convenient, thanks to the company’s extensive network of authorized dealers. You can use Kumho’s dealer locator tool on the official website to find nearby shops and dealerships.
Many Kumho dealers offer additional services like tire installation, balancing, and rotation. If you are in the Chicago area, we invite you to visit one of our conveniently located shops at 2720 W Grand Avenue or 3616 N Harlem Avenue, buy the best Kumho tires for your car, and get them installed and serviced.
You can also buy Kumho Tires from the comfort of your home or office by shopping at UTires.com. We offer over 1,800 new and used Kumho Tires for pretty much any vehicle and driving condition. Our FedEx delivery is always free and fast. Order your Kumho tires before 1 p.m. CST, which will be dispatched from our warehouse on the same business day!
Buy Kumho Tires: product range for every driving occasion
Kumho Tires produces tires for various vehicle types and driving conditions. The product lineup includes:
- Kumho passenger tires: The Ecsta series, designed for high-performance sports cars, and the Solus series, known for comfort and fuel efficiency.
- Kumho SUV and light truck tires: The Crugen series offers durability and excellent off-road performance.
- Kumho commercial vehicle tires: The KRD series, built for heavy-duty trucks and buses, provides long-lasting performance and safety.
- Specialty tires: Tires for motorsports, aviation, and industrial applications.
Kumho tires are renowned for their advanced tread designs, superior grip, and innovative features for driving comfort and safety. Buy new, driven once, or used Kumho tires on our website for the cheapest price in the online world!
Safety features of Kumho Tires
Whether you’re driving in heavy rain or navigating icy roads, Kumho Tires are designed to keep you safe. From advanced tread compounds to innovative tire designs, Kumho Tires are engineered to provide superior traction, handling, and braking performance. They feature advanced safety technologies, such as 3D Siping, which provides improved traction and handling on wet and dry roads.
Popular tire series by Kumho
According to the United Tires Expert, the following Kumho Tires stand out from the rest:
- Kumho Eco Solus KR22: A tire for family cars and minivans, offering year-round performance and safety.
- Kumho Ecowing KH30: An all-season tire for eco-friendly drivers, providing great wet and dry traction while improving fuel efficiency.
- Kumho Road Venture M/T KL71: An aggressive light truck tire for off-road use, suitable for jeeps, SUVs, and other all-terrain vehicles.
These tires have been carefully selected for their exceptional performance, safety features, and value for money.
The best Kumho Tires: the United Tires expert’ choice
All-weather passenger tire
Solus 4S HA32+
According to the recent ADAC test (the most trustworthy and tough tests performed by the leading Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club), the Kumho Solus 4S HA32+ tire performed well in winter conditions. It secured good braking, traction, and handling ratings. It provided safe and precise control.
It scored well in braking on wet roads but struggled with aquaplaning and handling, showing imprecise control due to under- or oversteering.
However, its weakest performance was on dry surfaces, where it lacked precision stability during evasive maneuvers and offered slightly below-average braking distances.
Environmentally, it performed well, offering good mileage and wear.
Light truck & SUV/CUV season tire
Crugen HP71
The Crugen HP71 is a top-tier all-season tire designed for CUVs and SUVs. It offers luxury, poise, and confidence on the road. This tire excels in safety, performance, and longevity regardless of the season or weather conditions.
Key features include full-depth sipes and lateral voids for winter traction, wide circumferential grooves, and micro-serrations to prevent hydroplaning. The strong center rib and shoulder blocks ensure even wear and quick handling. Kumho’s Variable Pitch Technology guarantees a quiet and comfortable ride.
Suitable for vehicles like the Audi Q7, Cadillac Escalade, and Toyota Rav4, the Crugen HP71 competes with products like the Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus and Michelin Premier LTX.
Light truck & SUV/CUV all-weather tire
Road Venture AT52
The Kumho Road Venture AT52 is a versatile all-terrain tire designed for both on-road comfort and off-road capability. With a durable compound, the AT52 resists cuts and chips while providing a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty for metric and 50,000 for light truck sizes.
Its tread design handles mud, sand, and snow, earning the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol for severe snow service. The tire offers stability, reduced road noise, and enhanced highway steering, while its aggressive design appeals to off-road enthusiasts. The AT52 combines durability, performance, and aesthetics, making it a strong option for those needing all-conditions reliability.
Passenger winter studless tire
Winter Craft WP52
Winter Craft WP52 is designed for medium to large passenger cars and SUVs and is marked with a Three-Peak Mountain snowflake. This addition brings Kumho’s cold weather range to five car and SUV models and two van tire lines. The WP52 offers advanced features across 27 sizes, including interlocking 3D sipes, snow ejector and trapping prevention systems, a V-shaped tread pattern with wide lateral grooves for improved aquaplaning resistance and lateral grip, and innovative hourglass-shaped wear indicators for easier tread depth assessment. The optimized profile increases the surface area by up to 10%.
According to Tyre Reviews’ tests, the WP52 excels in dry performance and handling but underperforms in wet conditions, with low aquaplaning resistance.
Performance summer passenger tire
Ecsta PS91
The Ecsta PS91 is a max-performance summer tire designed for supercar enthusiasts who demand exceptional wet and dry handling at high speeds, both on and off the track. Key features include a compounded rib tread design for enhanced stability, cosmetic racing-flag tread indentations for an exotic look, and a C-Cut 3D design that boosts block stiffness for optimal braking performance. The 3D dimple design also reduces internal heat, increasing block durability, while the racing-inspired checkered sidewall highlights the tire’s ultra-high performance capabilities.
This asymmetric tire, with a UTQG rating of 260 AA/A and (Y) speed rating, is ideal for vehicles like the Audi R8, BMW M6, and Porsche 911. It competes with top-tier products like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Pirelli P Zero, and Continental ExtremeContact Sport.
Ongoing research and Kumho Tire innovation
Kumho is committed to innovation and has an extensive network of research and development centers. The company operates three major R&D facilities, the largest in Gwangju, South Korea.
In addition to its main R&D center, Kumho has other research centers in the United States, Germany, and China. These centers focus on adapting tire technology to meet the specific demands of various markets. For example, the Pyeongtaek plant in South Korea collaborates with academic institutions to integrate advanced tire technologies into practical applications. The Changchun Plant in China further exemplifies Kumho’s global production capabilities and commitment to quality.
The Akron, Ohio, R&D center leads the development of products specifically designed for the North American market. It helps Kumho to tailor its offerings to the unique requests of American drivers.
Kumho Tires constantly makes significant investments in research and development. One notable innovation is the ESCOT technology (Excellent & Smart Contour Optimisation Theory), which optimizes braking and steering performance by maintaining consistent shape and contact pressure for better tread life. Kumho’s XRP technology allows drivers to maintain control even after a tire puncture by reinforcing the sidewall to reduce deformation.
Kumho’s airless “concept” tire BON (Birth on Nature) was inspired by the structure of the bone, or what is called the Voronoy structure, found in nature. Mimicking leaf cells and honeycomb, it achieved unprecedented structural stability and fuel efficiency. The tire won the Red Dot Design Award, the IDEA Design Award, and the “Oscar” of the design world, the iF Design Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Kumho tires?
Since 2018, Kumho Tires is owned by Chinese Qingdao Doublestar Co Ltd. But they are manufactured in Korea by Kumho Tire Co., Inc., a South Korean tire company founded in 1960 by Park In-chon. Kumho Tires are also manufactured in the U.S., at Ohio, California, and Georgia facilities.
Are Kumho tires made in the US?
Yes, Kumho Tires has manufacturing facilities in the United States. In addition to its plants in South Korea and other countries like China and Vietnam, the U.S. plant helps Kumho better serve the North American market. The Gaoxin Plant in Nanjing, China, is one of the three manufacturing facilities in China, showcasing Kumho’s global footprint and commitment to innovation and quality. Additionally, the Tianjin Plant in China, which includes a research center, contributes significantly to Kumho’s global network and innovation strategy.
How much are Kumho tires?
The price of Kumho tires varies depending on the model and size. Generally, Kumho tires are competitively priced and offer good value for money. Prices range from around $50 for smaller passenger car tires to over $200 for high-performance or specialty tires.
Are Kumho Tires good?
Yes, Kumho Tires is well-regarded for its quality, performance, and durability. It has received positive reviews from customers and industry experts alike. Kumho offers a variety of tire models that cater to different driving needs, making it a reliable choice for many drivers.
What Kumho Tires models are the best?
Some of the best Kumho tire models include:
- Ecsta PS91: Known for its high-performance capabilities and excellent handling.
- Crugen HT51: Popular among SUV and light truck owners for its durability and off-road performance.
- Solus TA31: A well-rounded tire offering comfort and fuel efficiency for passenger cars.
- Road Venture AT51: Ideal for all-terrain driving, providing good traction and stability.
How long do Kumho tires last?
The lifespan of Kumho tires varies based on driving conditions, maintenance, and the specific tire model. On average, Kumho tires can last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance, such as proper inflation and alignment, can help extend the life of the tires.
Where can I buy Kumho tires?
Kumho tires are available at retailers, including major tire chains, automotive stores, and online marketplaces. You can buy Kumho tires directly from authorized dealers and service centers or shop from the convenience of your home at utires.com. We currently have over 1,800 Kumho Tires to choose from for every vehicle, terrain, and driving condition!
How do I find a Kumho tire dealer near me?
To find a Kumho tire dealer near you, simply use the dealer locator tool available on Kumho’s official website. This will direct you to authorized dealers in your area. Or simply shop on our website and get your new Kumho Tires delivered for free right to your doorstep!
Share the Knowledge