By Alex Kapadia

Kumho has taken over from Michelin as the official sole tyres supplier for Auto GP.

The Korean tyres manufacture will supply teams with two different compounds, with use of both the ‘prime’ and ‘option’ tyres mandatory during a dry race weekend, according to AUTOSPORT.com.

Unlike in Formula 1, however, there will be no stipulations on when the different compounds are used during each event.

Auto GP’s Enzo Coloni said: “Right from the start of our talks with Kumho, it was clear that their approach was a very positive one, aimed at giving us the best possible experience in terms of technical support.

“Not only did they accept with enthusiasm our proposal for the two different tyre specs, but they also expressed a will to bring on a constant development job working with us and the teams, something unique in the one-make series scenario.

“The first step of this process will be the creation of a special supersoft tyre for the Marrakech round, a street track where we expect a very low grip level.

“For our drivers being involved in such a development plan will mean getting a know-how that they can’t get anywhere else, a vital experience for their future.”

Auto GP is already one of the premier schooling grounds for Grand Prix drivers, and giving this year’s competitors the opportunity to learn the management of both ‘prime’ and ‘option’ tyre compounds at each of the seven circuits visited will further strengthen that role.

Kumho tyres is looking to build on its sports sponsorship this year in order to boost brand awareness in Europe as it strives for global recognition.

The South Korean tyres manufacturer already credits its sponsorship of Manchester United - it became an official partner of the Premiership team in 2007 after signing a four year deal - with helping it to achieve substantial increase in brand recognition.

Kumho believes that teaming up with the high profile club was a major factor in its growth in Europe.

It has fingers in many other sports pies, including a long-standing involvement in international motor sports championships. It has been the official supplier for the prestigious Masters of Formula 3 - the training ground for the likes of Lewis Hamilton and several other F1 drivers, since 2002.

And as an official sponsor of the US men’s and women’s soccer teams it is already working on promotion plans when the teams appear at the 2012 London Olympics.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Kumho is urging motorists to check their tyres ahead of the busy Christmas and New Year period.

David Basha, Kumho tyres national marketing and training manager in Australia, warned that there is a direct correlation between tyre condition and road safety.

He said: “It’s essential to maintain the recommended tyre pressure and regularly check tyre conditions to ensure optimum traction and handling.

“Not only does a properly maintained tyre improve handing and traction but it will also improve fuel economy and provide a more comfortable ride for you and your passengers.”

Under or over inflated tyres don’t provide proper contact with the road. Under inflated tyres also don’t allow for heat dispersion and wear the outer edges of the tyre quicker.

“Over inflated tyres on the other hand have a small contact area, hamper the handling of the vehicle, highlight road imperfections as well as wear the centre of the tyre out quicker.

“Checking tyres only takes a couple of minutes but is small price to pay for safe, comfortable motoring,” said David Basha.

By Denna Bowman

Kumho has announced that it will supply six tyres suitable for the UK winter season to cater for he smallest family car up to light commercial vehicles.

According to a report in Tyres and Accessories: “Kumho clearly believes the “wake-up calls” of the last two UK winters will drive demand for a wider range of winter tyres in the market, as it has announced it will supply six patterns for the 2011-2012 season through its distributor Micheldever Tyre Services.

“With another harsh winter on the horizon, Kumho expects demand for cold weather tyres to top the new heights seen in the past two years, listing tyres suitable for fitment on the smallest cars up to light commercial vehicles.”

Kumho will supply the I’zen KW17 to small to mid-range cars, featuring a robust central rib for maximum high-speed stability. The I’zen KW23 for family cars features a directional tread pattern for better grip and includes popular run-flat sizes for BMWs.

Its I’zen KW27 is a “high-performance alpine winter tyre” with an asymmetric tread pattern and three-dimensional grooves for enhanced traction on snow and ice, also including run-flat sizes for BMWs.

In the 4×4/SUV segment, Kumho offers its I’zen RV KC15 – an asymmetric tyre featuring what the Korean manufacturer describes as “a new concept silica tread compound” for enhanced wet weather performance. For LCVs, the company offers its Power Grip KC11, which features a directional V-groove for enhanced water drainage.

In the all-season category, Kumho offers the Solus Vier KH21 for cars and small vans. It features a directional tread pattern for improved wet performance, wide lateral grooves for enhanced aquaplaning resistance and multiple sipes for running on snow.

Kumho says it has already established an acclaimed presence in the traditional winter tyre markets of Scandinavia and Central Europe.

Kumho has announced it will be rolling out its “Invisible Car” to promote its eco-friendly tyres at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne later this year.

The company will use an ‘interactive display’ to encourage visitors “to see the tyres as a starting point in building the car from the ground up” and convey “the message that a lower carbon footprint is something we should all be striving for.”

Kumho plans to showcase its Ecowing low rolling resistance tyre, the Kumho Aroma tyre (the world’s first scented tyre) and the coloured Smoke Tyre at the event along with the ‘Invisible Car’ which made its debut at last year’s International Motor Show in Sydney.

Joon Kim, marketing services manager for Kumho, said: “We know from our experence in Sydney last year that the Invisible Car will generate enormous interest and deliver a real wow factor as well as drawing attention to our Ecowing tyre range as a way of reducing overall fuel consumption.”

The Australian International Motor Show runs from 1 to 10 July.

Denna Bowman, Head Office

Kumho’s ECSTA KU39 has excelled in tyres tests carried out by the highly respected Wheels Magazine.

The leading Australia motoring mag was bowled over by the performance of the Kumho LE Sport KU39, which finished a close third behind offerings from Europe’s two biggest tyre makers and ahead of well established and respected Japanese brands.

Wheel Magazine concluded that: “Third place for the Kumho is a great result, and it showed up some big names from Bridgestone and Dunlop.”

The ECSTA KU39, the asymmetric ultra high performance tyre designed with Europe’s top car marques in mind, finished just 29 percentage points behind the winning Michelin Pilot Sport 3, and 1.5 percentage points from the Continental ContiSportContact2.

It topped the wet braking challenge and was ranked second in both the wet cornering and dry slalom tests, which resulted in an overall score of 96.5 percent.

Edmund Cho, the managing director of Kumho Tyres Australia, said: “The result is an undisputed confirmation that Kumho has arrived as a tyre brand, delivering tyres that perform at their highest levels at affordable prices.

“The performance of the ECSTA KU39 in the Wheels test shows it is a world class performance tyre capable of holding its own against any of the acknowledged industry leaders, and underlines the fact that Kumho is now one of the world’s top tyre brands.”

Denna Bowman, Head Office

Kumho are celebrating a great start to the 2011 UK rally season with four of the Top Ten finishers on the GMF Motor Factors Wydean Forest Rally sporting Kumho R800 gravel rally tyres.

It was an impressive start for the South Korean tyres company, which enjoyed success with the event-winning Peugeot Cosworth of Andy Burton and Robin Kellard, and the Mitsubishi Evo IX of David Wright and Michael Wilkinson which was fourth overall and victorious in class B13.

Steve Thompson, Kumho’s European Motorsport Manager, said: “It is great to see the Kumho-shod cars achieving such a dominant start to the eight-round Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Championship. Our gravel tyres our clearly working well and I hope it means we can look forward to another very successful season.”

Based at Chepstow Racecourse, 180 cars assembled for the event - which maintains its popular place in the UK calendar - and the entry list boasted quantity and quality.

Alex Kapadia, Operations Team

As an official sponsor of Manchester United, Kumho tyres must have plenty of opportunities to smooze their clients and associates on match days.

But the Korean tyres manufacturer has just hosted a unique ‘Dream Day’ for a group of children aged between six and 17, including youngsters at the Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester.

The children got the chance to meet five of the club’s first team players at Man U’s famous Carrington training ground.

The 40 lucky children had won their places in prize draws in the football publications Match and FourFourTwo, on Manchester’s hit radio station Key 103 and in competitions running on the Kumho and Manchester United websites.

The Dream Day started with a tour of the legendary Old Trafford ground and then the group were whisked away on the official Manchester United team bus to Carrington, the club’s training ground and home to its Academy, for a skills session with the players, including Patrice Evra, Tomasz Kuszczak, Jonny Evans, John O’Shea and Rafael.

John Thrupp, Marketing Director of Kumho Tyre UK, said: “It was a huge privilege for us to be able to offer such a ‘money can’t buy experience’ and a delight to witness the joy it created, both among the children and their equally enthusiastic parents.

“We are enormously grateful to Manchester United for helping to make our guests’ dreams come true.”

Denna Bowman, Head Office

By Denna Bowman

Kumho tyres has been honoured on an unprecedented scale for its work with Manchester United at one of footballs top regional awards.

The South Korean tyres manufacturer and the Premiership football club were presented with a ‘Special Commendation’ award in the ‘Best Club Sponsorship’ category for their ‘Play Safer’ scheme at the prestigious Northwest Football Awards 2010.

‘Play Safer’ is a unique initiative that uses football skills, such as awareness, vision and control, to teach young kids about road safety and is backed by Greater Manchester Police.

Following an action-packed launch day earlier this year at Old Trafford, visited by thousands of children and parents, the scheme is being progressively rolled out to primary schools across the North West with over 1,800 children taking part so far.

The scheme is seen as a major success for Kumho and Manchester United and is being supported by substantial web and PR activity, even being featured on BBC news.

Visitors from 75 countries have accessed the joint-branded website and downloaded the road safety cards, while some 37,500 people were exposed to Kumho’s positive community action on the launch day.

Manchester Online gave 58 million opportunities to view the campaign and visits to the Kumho Tyres website achieved 162% growth.

John Thrupp, marketing director of Kumho Tyre UK, said the company believes that ‘Play Safer’ will show the world that it is about more than making tyres.

He said, “We want to be seen as a responsible citizen, connecting with consumers and improving perceptions within the community, helping us to raise awareness and drive future sales.

“We’re thrilled to have won this prestigious award and to have been able to use our sponsorship of Manchester United in this valuable way.”

First Yokohama brought us orange-infused tyres, now Kumho have come up roses with their new lavender scented tyres.

Apparently, scent marketing is becoming all the rage, and the tyres are selling for $300 each, while other companies are also developing and are trademarking beer-scented darts and fresh cut grass-scented tennis balls.

Kumho tyres revealed that its lavender-scented tyres have been a success in Australia and overseas. The South Korean manufacturer claims: “The Ecsta DX Aroma tyre is designed for “trend-setting, fashion-conscious drivers.”

The scent – lavender, with hints of mint, iris and white musk – can be smelt within 10 metres of a vehicle. It lasts for about a year and is most noticeable immediately after normal driving, when the tyres are warm.

Yokohama, the Japanese tyres manufacturer, called its dB Super E-spec “the world’s first orange oil-infused passenger tyre” and revealed that it was composed of 80% non-petroleum-based materials.

Denna Bowman, Head Office