Kumho Tire launches high-end tire for SUVs, EVs

Kumho Tire CEO Jung Il-taek poses with the firm's CRUGEN GT Pro premium tire during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire has launched a new high-end tire — CRUGEN GT Pro — targeting growing demand for comfort tires specifically designed for premium SUVs, the company said Tuesday.

The new model was developed to meet surging demand for highly durable tires compatible with not just SUVs powered by internal combustion engines, but electric vehicles (EVs). It features low noise and better mileage performance.

According to data from the company, SUVs accounted for 47.6 percent of all newly registered vehicles in Korea in 2019, but the number soared to 67.7 percent in 2025.

The tiremaker will start sales for CRUGEN GT Pro in Korea this month, with a United States rollout planned for September. The company will also gradually expand sales to other global markets down the road.

“Our new CRUGEN tire boasts high treadwear ratings and offers quiet driving experiences for SUVs and EVs,” Kumho Tire CEO Jung Il-taek told reporters during a press conference.

It took three years for the company to develop its newest premium tire, in response to the growing importance of SUVs and EVs here and abroad. In particular, EVs do not produce any engine noises, so tires play a more significant role in minimizing noise from the road, according to the head of the tire firm.

“Demand for more premium tires fit for SUVs and EVs will continue to rise in the upcoming era of electrification, and CRUGEN GT Pro is optimized for the standard in the global auto industry,” he said.

Kumho Tire said its sales target for the new model is 50,000 tires each month, and the figure is expected to rise further due to the tire’s strong initial market response.

The tiremaker also shared its strategy of offsetting the escalating Middle East risk by increasing sales in key markets such as the U.S. and Europe.

According to the firm, its sales in the Middle East account for 7 to 8 percent of the total, while the combined figure for the U.S. and Europe reaches some 50 percent.

“The sales portion in the Middle East is not huge enough to cast a game-changing impact on our global sales,” Jung said.

However, he added, the company is paying close attention to any changes in oil prices, which can increase prices for raw materials.

“So far, we cannot see any eye-catching risk factors from the external geopolitical risk, but once the conflict continues for a long period of time, we need to set new strategies to minimize our exposure to the uncertainty,” the head of the firm said.