Kumho gains OE fitment on Mercedes-Benz Viano
Will supply OE tires for the Viano multi-purpose vehicle
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (February 27, 2008)… Kumho Tire Co., Inc. will supply OE tires to Mercedes-Benz for the Viano multi-purpose vehicle. Kumho will supply approximately 10,000 tires for the Viano X-Clusive, which will be sold in Europe.
Kumho will supply Mercedes-Benz with its KU19, a UHP tire that provides a smooth ride with minimal noise and has excellent high speed handling characteristics. The KU19 is speed-rated to 360km/hour and provides excellent grip in wet weather.
A Kumho spokesman said that the company is working to strengthen its OE business operations in the U.S. and Europe, and that supplying tires to Mercedes-Benz will help improve Kumho’s brand recognition. The spokesman also said this fitment will have a ripple effect on sales in the replacement equipment market and will help the company achieve its goal to become the number five tire company in the world by 2015.
This is the company’s second OE fitment with Mercedes-Benz in Europe. In 2007, Kumho started supplying tires for the Mercedes-Benz A Class in Europe.
