Kumho Tire
South Korean tire manufacturer serving consumer, commercial, and original-equipment vehicle markets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Kumho Tire is a South Korean tire manufacturer formerly known as Samyang Tire. The company developed within the Kumho Asiana Group and became one of South Korea's major tire producers, supplying replacement and original-equipment products to vehicle manufacturers and distributors in international markets. Its portfolio spans passenger-car, sport-utility vehicle, light-truck, commercial-truck and bus, racing, and other specialty tire applications. The business sells products under the Kumho, Marshal, and Zetum brands. Kumho operates manufacturing facilities in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the United States. Its South Korean production footprint includes the Pyeongtaek, Gokseong, and Gwangju plants, with the Gwangju site also associated with a major research and development center. Chinese production facilities include plants in Tianjin, Nanjing's Gaoxin area, and Changchun. The company also operates a plant in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, and a facility in Macon, Georgia, in the United States. Its international sales organizations support exports and regional distribution across global markets. Research and development has been organized around centers serving South Korean, North American, and European tire markets. The largest identified center is in Gwangju, with additional facilities in Akron, Ohio, and Birmingham, England. Other research locations have included Buchholz, Germany, and Tianjin, China. Kumho also has a United Kingdom subsidiary, Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd, established in 1977, with administrative activities in Sutton, Surrey, and marketing operations in Birmingham. The company experienced financial pressure after the Kumho Asiana Group's acquisition of Daewoo Engineering & Construction contributed to a liquidity crisis. Kumho Tire entered a debt workout in December 2009. In 2011, a Chinese television investigation alleged that the company's Tianjin plant had used excessive recycled rubber in certain tires. Kumho initially challenged aspects of the report's methodology, but its leadership subsequently apologized publicly and announced a recall of affected products. Ownership changed materially in 2018. Chinese tire manufacturer Doublestar completed an acquisition from Kumho Asiana Group in July of that year. The reported transaction valued the deal at approximately US$607 million and gave Doublestar a 45 percent stake together with control. Kumho has continued operating as an international tire company under that ownership structure. The brand has pursued visibility through sports and automotive sponsorships. It became a Manchester United platinum partner in 2007 and worked with the club on a youth road-safety initiative called Play Safer. It has also supported European Formula 3, the National Basketball Association as an official tire, and Spain's La Liga. In environmental technology, Kumho received a grand prize at South Korea's 2024 Global Top Excellent Environmental Technology Awards for technology associated with low-wear, low-carbon tires intended to reduce particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions.
History
Kumho Tire is a South Korean tire manufacturer that was formerly known as Samyang Tire. It developed as part of the Kumho Asiana Group and expanded from its domestic base into a multinational manufacturing and sales network. The company manufactures tires in South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the United States, and exports products through regional sales organizations. Its South Korean manufacturing network includes plants in Pyeongtaek, Gokseong, and Gwangju. The Gwangju operation is also associated with the company's principal South Korean research and development center. In China, the company has operated facilities in Tianjin, Nanjing's Gaoxin area, and Changchun. Its overseas production footprint includes Binh Duong Province in Vietnam and Macon, Georgia, in the United States. Kumho has also maintained research facilities serving the North American and European markets, including centers in Akron and Birmingham, with other research locations identified in Germany and China. Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd was established in 1977. The British subsidiary's administrative functions have been based in Sutton, Surrey, while marketing activities have operated from Birmingham. The company has supplied original-equipment tires for vehicle manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Fiat, General Motors, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Volkswagen, in addition to serving the replacement market. The parent group's financial difficulties affected Kumho Tire after the acquisition of Daewoo Engineering & Construction contributed to a liquidity crunch. In December 2009, Kumho Tire entered a debt workout. A further crisis emerged in March 2011, when China Central Television reported alleged irregularities in the production of tires at the Tianjin plant. The report focused on the use of recycled rubber and alleged that the material could create safety risks. Kumho disputed aspects of the report's calculation and evidentiary approach, but company and Chinese subsidiary executives later apologized publicly and announced a recall of affected products. The company's ownership changed in 2018. Doublestar, a Chinese tire conglomerate, completed a transaction to acquire Kumho Tire from Kumho Asiana Group in July. The reported deal was valued at US$607 million, with Doublestar receiving 45 percent and control of South Korea's second-largest tire manufacturer. Brand-building has included sports and motorsport partnerships. Kumho became a platinum partner of Manchester United in 2007 and collaborated with the club on the Play Safer youth road-safety campaign. It has also sponsored European Formula 3, became an official tire of the NBA in 2014, and has been a sponsor of La Liga. More recently, the company has emphasized environmental technology, including low-wear, low-carbon tire development. In 2024, it received a South Korean environmental technology award recognizing this work.
- 2024
Environmental technology award
[1]Kumho received a grand prize for low-wear, low-carbon tire technology at South Korea's Global Top Excellent Environmental Technology Awards.
- 2019
NLRB labor ruling
[1]A US administrative law judge found extensive unlawful conduct during union organizing at the Macon plant.
- 2018
Doublestar takes control
[1]Doublestar completed its acquisition of Kumho Tire from Kumho Asiana Group and became its controlling shareholder.
- 2014
Named an official NBA tire
[1]Kumho was announced as the official tire of the National Basketball Association.
- 2011
Tianjin tire recall
[1]After allegations concerning recycled rubber usage at the Tianjin plant, Kumho apologized and recalled affected products.
- 2009
Debt workout begins
[1]Kumho Tire entered a debt workout during the liquidity crisis affecting Kumho Asiana Group.
- 2007
Manchester United partnership begins
[1]Kumho became a platinum partner of Manchester United and later collaborated with the club on the Play Safer road-safety campaign.
- 1977
Kumho Tyre (UK) Ltd established
[1]The company's United Kingdom subsidiary was established to support administrative and marketing activities in the British market.
Products and positioning
A globally distributed South Korean tire brand combining original-equipment supply, replacement-market coverage, motorsport and sports sponsorships, and research into performance and lower-impact tire technologies.
Passenger, SUV, light-truck, commercial, performance, and original-equipment tires
Kumho tires
The core Kumho range covers tires for passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, light trucks, and commercial vehicles. The brand supplies both replacement-market products and original-equipment tires for multiple international vehicle manufacturers. Product development is supported by research centers in South Korea, North America, Europe, and China.
Tires
Marshal
Marshal is one of the tire brands manufactured and marketed by Kumho Tire. The reference material identifies the brand as part of Kumho's broader international tire portfolio, but does not provide a detailed product chronology or current market segmentation.
Tires
Zetum
Zetum is another tire brand in Kumho Tire's portfolio. Available reference material confirms its association with the manufacturer but does not specify a complete range structure, launch date, or current distribution footprint.
Environmental tire technology
Low-wear, low-carbon tires
Kumho's low-wear, low-carbon tire technology is intended to reduce tire wear and associated fine particulate emissions while lowering carbon-related impacts. The technology was recognized in South Korea's 2024 environmental technology awards. Detailed specifications and commercialization timing are not provided in the available reference material.
Controversies
2019
Unlawful conduct during Macon union campaign
A National Labor Relations Board administrative law judge found that managers, including the company's chief executive at the plant, threatened layoffs or closure, unlawfully interrogated employees, and created an impression of surveillance during a unionization campaign. The company was required to communicate a corrective notice to workers.
2011
Tianjin production and tire recall controversy
A China Central Television report alleged that Kumho's Tianjin plant used excessive recycled rubber in certain tires, potentially creating sidewall and rupture risks. Kumho disputed the report's method of assessing the material ratio, but company leaders later apologized publicly and announced a recall of affected products.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Play Safer
United Kingdom · International Manchester United audience
Kumho developed the Play Safer campaign with Manchester United to promote road-safety awareness among young people.
Outcome. The campaign formed part of Kumho's Manchester United sponsorship and positioned the tire brand around safer driving.
Brand decisions
2018
Accept Doublestar acquisitionM&ABackground
Kumho Tire was being separated from Kumho Asiana Group during a period of financial restructuring.
Action taken
Doublestar completed the acquisition, reportedly paying US$607 million for a 45 percent stake and control.
Aftermath
Doublestar became Kumho Tire's major shareholder and controlling owner.
Reported transaction value. US$607 million (2018 acquisition)
2011
Recall affected Tianjin productsOtherBackground
A televised investigation alleged that certain Tianjin-made tires contained excessive recycled rubber and could present a safety risk.
Action taken
Kumho executives issued a public apology and announced a recall of the affected products.
Aftermath
The episode became a significant product-quality controversy for the brand and prompted corrective action in the affected market.
Recent events
Kumho launches Road Venture HT and Crugen GT Pro tires[2]
Reported:
Kumho is rolling out two new EV-compatible tires aimed at the growing crossover, SUV, and light-truck markets: the Road Venture HT highway-terrain tire, available now, and the Crugen GT Pro all-season touring tire, set to reach consumers in September.
Sources2 sources
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