Kumho Tire, a leading South Korean tire manufacturer, has launched its latest innovation, the Crugen GT Pro, a premium comfort tire designed specifically for sport utility vehicles (SUVs). This launch underscores Kumho’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in the growing global SUV and electric vehicle (EV) tire market.
The Crugen GT Pro incorporates Kumho’s advanced Crugen technology platform, offering drivers a superior experience through enhanced ride comfort, reduced noise levels, and improved fuel efficiency. This tire is engineered to meet the evolving demands of modern SUV owners and the increasing popularity of electric SUVs.
Kumho Tire highlights that the Crugen GT Pro has achieved a Grade 2 rating in rolling resistance under Korea’s stringent energy efficiency standards. This makes it the only domestically produced SUV tire to currently attain this level of performance, showcasing Kumho’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Available in a comprehensive range of 53 sizes, spanning from 18 to 22 inches, the Crugen GT Pro is designed to fit a wide array of premium SUVs from leading automakers such as Hyundai Motor, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche. It is meticulously optimized for both electric vehicles and traditional combustion-engine models, ensuring compatibility and peak performance across various platforms.
During a recent media briefing, CEO Jung Il-taek emphasized the strategic significance of the Crugen GT Pro launch. He stated that this new product is central to Kumho Tire’s push into the premium SUV tire segment, with the overarching goal of achieving over 5.1 trillion won ($3.41 billion) in sales this year. This target builds upon the company’s record-breaking performance in 2025, where sales reached 4.7 trillion won.
Kumho’s earlier SUV tire offering, the Crugen HP71, achieved impressive sales of approximately 25,000 units per month in the domestic market. Building on this success, the company has set an ambitious initial sales target of 50,000 units per month for the Crugen GT Pro, with potential for upward revision based on market reception and demand.
Following its initial launch in Korea, Kumho Tire plans to introduce the Crugen GT Pro to the North American market in September, followed by a global rollout later in the year. This phased approach will allow Kumho to optimize its supply chain and marketing strategies for different regions.
The company also addressed concerns regarding supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly those stemming from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These tensions have caused temporary disruptions to shipments that previously transited through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Kumho Tire assured stakeholders that its exposure to the region represents only about 7-8 percent of its total sales, thereby limiting the overall impact.
“We have seen some disruptions to shipments that were previously exported via the Strait of Hormuz, but we have been able to secure alternative supply routes through the Suez Canal,” said Jung.
He further noted the company’s vigilance regarding potential cost pressures arising from escalating oil prices, which could affect raw material costs and freight rates.
“We remain cautious about geopolitical risks, particularly as it is difficult to predict how long the conflict will last,” Jung said. “However, given our relatively small exposure to the Middle Eastern market, we believe our annual targets remain achievable, even under contingency plans.”
Kumho Tire also provided an update on its facility expansion plans, confirming the completion of land acquisition for its planned manufacturing plant in Poland. With environmental assessments and design work currently underway, construction is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of this year, with mass production targeted for the second half of 2028.
The new facility is projected to have a production capacity of up to 12 million tires annually, primarily aimed at bolstering the supply of premium original equipment tires in Europe, rather than supplementing output from existing manufacturing plants.
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