Kumho to Break Ground on Vietnam Tire Plant This Year

Kumho Tire President Sae Chul Oh, Binh Duong Province’s Mayor Hoang Son Nguyen, and investor group Becamax’s Chairman Van Hung Nguyen were all present at a Mar. 29 meeting that solidified plans for the facility.

Kumho is investing $155 million in the new plant, which, Kumho said, will produce 3.15 million radial tires a year. The plant will have the ability to make Kumho UHP tires, which will not only be distributed throughout Vietnam but also to Asia, the Americas, and Europe, the tiremaker said.

“Because of Vietnam’s political and social stability along with its vast workforce and geological resources, it is an ideal place for a manufacturing operation,” said Oh. “Through this deal, Kumho Tire will have plants not only in China but also in Vietnam, strengthening the foundations that will prepare Kumho to be a global competitor.”

If you’re a shop looking to sell summer tires, it’s important to know that customers looking for these tires have very specific needs. Let’s talk about why, before recommending summer tires, you need to fully understand customer performance requirements.

Unlike all-season or all-terrain tires built for diverse driving conditions, UHP summer tires are designed with one priority: dry and wet traction for performance driving. Lateral and longitudinal grip in dry and wet conditions are also important, which is achieved through optimized contact patches, high silica tread compounds and circumferential grooves to channel water. Generally, UHP summer tire tread design features large blocks and fewer grooves for more road contact on dry surfaces. The grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads.