Kumho to Supply Tires for Mercedes Benz A-Class

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Feb. 20, 2007 -- Kumho Tires has been selected by DaimlerChrysler AG to supply tires for the next generation of the Mercedes Benz A-Class.

Kumho will supply its SOLUS KH15 in size 185/65R15 for the new hatchback, which is manufactured at DaimlerChrysler's state-of-the-art Rastatt plant in southwest Germany.

The deal with DaimlerChrysler is seen as a major achievement for Kumho Tires and is likely to have a significant impact on the global OE business of the Seoul-based company, which becomes the first Korean tire manufacturer to supply Mercedes Benz. Kumho was awarded the contract after meeting Daimler Chrysler's technical and quality criteria.

During the development program for the new tires, led by Kumho's Birmingham, UK, based European Technical Center, the main focus was on ride refinement while maintaining optimum levels of wet and dry performance and low-rolling resistance. New tread compound and casing materials were developed specifically for the A-Class version of the KH15.

The tire will bear the MO (Mercedes Original Equipment) symbol on its sidewall to indicate that it is an approved fitment for Mercedes Benz cars.

H.S. Lee, president of Kumho Tire Europe GmbH, commented: "We are delighted that we have been awarded this contract by DaimlerChrysler and look forward to continuing to develop high quality tires for one of the world's finest car manufacturers."

"We intend to focus increasingly on the growth of our OE business in the future," he continued. "This contract is bound to make an important contribution to the strength of the Kumho brand in the global market and will boost recognition of the quality and technological capability of our products."