Kumho Tire Co. has received the 2016 Red Dot Design Award in the product design category for two tires: K-Silent Tire and Road Venture MT51.
The company says it is the first Korean tire maker to be honored with the award for five consecutive years.
Introduced in June 2015 and sold in Korea, Kumho’s K-Silent Tire is equipped with a technology that reduces noise coming from air vibration in the tire, known as resonance noise, caused by the friction between the tire and the ground. The company says it is the first to develop the noise reduction technology, which is dubbed the K-silent system, and obtained a Korean patent for the design and materials of noise-absorbing components with more patent applications in the pipeline for the proprietary technology in other countries.
The Road Venture MT51 is available in the North American market. The mud terrain tire is capable of handling the harshest conditions while being just as comfortable on the road as off, according to Kumho. The MT51’s aggressive sidewall design prevents damage and enhances grip when in deep mud or rock climbing. Its full-depth, circumferential, zigzag grooves increase traction and help eject stones and mud while balancing on-road driving performance.
“The Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest venues for exchanges among those interested in industrial design. The receipt of the award for five consecutive years is yet another recognition of the competitiveness of our designs,” says Jeong Taek-Gyun, senior managing director at Kumho Tire R&D headquarters. “We will continue to build our capabilities in all areas of tire technology including design in order to enhance our brand image.”
Held by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany since 1955, the Red Dot Design Award honors winners in the categories of product, communication and concept. It is recognized as one of the world’s top three design awards along with the International Forum Design (iF) of Germany and International Design Excellence Award (IDEA) of the Unites States.
