Kumho debuts three tires for 2016

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (Dec. 4, 2015) — Kumho Tire USA Inc. has unveiled three tires set to launch in 2016, the Ecsta PS91 and Ecsta PS31 ultra-high-performance lines and Crugen HT51 for the SUV/light truck market.

The tire maker announced the tires Dec. 3 at its annual dealer meeting in Castries. All three tires will be available in March.

Jim Mayfield, vice president of sales and marketing for Kumho, told attending dealers the company is seeking to grow its market share next year.

“We've done a tremendous amount of work to get our pricing, our market intelligence put together in a way where we think we understand where we should be positioned now and where we are to do that,” he said.

At last year's dealer meeting the firm touched on launching six new products in 2015, he said, adding that Kumho will continue to roll out and develop new products in 2016 as well.

Kumho's Ecsta PS91 is a premium summer UHP addition to Kumho's lineup that will be the “flagship UHP tire for Kumho here in the United States,” Mr. Mayfield said. The Y-rated tire features an asymmetric tread pattern and will be available in 49 sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches in wheel diameter.

The Ecsta PS31, which features a directional tread pattern, is Kumho's new value price summer UHP tire. It replaces the Ecsta SPT KU31 in Kumho's lineup and will be available in 49 V- and W-rated sizes ranging from 14 to 18 inches in diameter.

Neither Ecsta product includes a mileage warranty, Kumho said.

For the SUV/LT market, the Crugen HT51 is an all-season tire that Mr. Mayfield said Kumho is “very excited about.”

“The AT51, which was launched this year, is off to a great start,” he said. “Our supply is improving on a few key sizes, (and) the sales continue to grow on that product. We anticipate that same type of result with the HT51.”

The tire replaces the Road Venture KL51 in Kumho's lineup and will be available in 39 R-, S- and T-rated sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches in wheel diameter. Kumho said a mileage warranty on the product hasn't yet been determined.