Kumho Green Tyre Picks Up Red Dot Design Award

Leading tyre manufacturer Kumho has won the highly prestigious Red Dot Design Award for the second year running with the KH27 Ecowing ES01.

The Kumho Ecowing ES01 was among a record number of 4662 product design entries from 54 countries in the annual design competition, which assesses nominations on a range of criteria including innovation, function, quality, ergonomics and durability.

According to David Basha, national marketing and training manager at Kumho Tyres Australia, a second Red Dot Design Award in as many years is a testament to Kumho's dedication to development and innovation.

"Kumho is constantly developing new tyre technology and the Red Dot Award for the KH27 is further proof of Kumho's commitment to innovation," David Basha said.

"Kumho's Ecowing ES01 fuel saving and environmentally friendly characteristics is outstanding and it is a real coup to have gained international recognition for the research and development work our designers and engineers have put into the low rolling resistance tyre."

The Ecowing ES01 is a, silicon compound, low rolling resistance tyre designed to deliver a reduction in fuel consumption without compromising handling ability.

In a recent independent fuel economy test run in Australia which pitted the Ecowing against conventional steel radial tyres, the KH27 provided 5.1 per cent advantage in fuel economy in real world driving conditions - making it not just environmentally friendly but economical as well.

Kumho's 2012 Red Dot Award success was from the Ecsta LE Sport KU39 - a premium tyre aimed at luxury sports cars.

"Kumho is committed to developing and providing quality tyres for all sectors of the market and winning two Red Dot Design Awards for two very different tyres is further proof of this," David added.

Since its inception in 1960, Kumho Tyres has been a model of steady growth amid dramatic changes of business landscape. Driven by innovation in management and technical development Kumho has become one of the top ten tyre companies in the world.

Over the past half-century Kumho Tyres has built the foundation for a sustainable company, which has thrived through a full range of business environments.

Kumho has succeeded in the development of superior tyres for all vehicles including high performance, passenger, sports utility and recreational vehicles, as well as light trucks, heavy truck and buses, industrial, agricultural, mining and construction vehicles as well as aircraft.

Kumho produces more than 68 million tyres annually with a massive research and development program which comprises more than 600 research personnel and 300 testing machines at proving grounds in South Korea, China, Europe and North America, Kumho leads the world with the latest in tyre technology, safety and performance. In Australia Kumho markets an extensive range of tyres for cars, 4WD's, light commercials, trucks and buses with a network centred around five state locations with the ability to distribute tyres to retailers across all areas of Australia.