SEMA Show, Day Three: Daewoo targets U.S. market

Nov. 5, 2009

South Korea-based Daewoo International Corp. will bring a full line of passenger and radial medium truck tires to the United States in early 2010.

"We're planning to ship around $5 million to the U.S." next year, says Seong Moo Lee, who represents Daewoo's tire and tube team. Daewoo will sell passenger tires under the Kratus, Briareus and Cotus names.

The company's products are built by several Chinese manufacturers, including Triangle Tyre, notes Lee. However, Daewoo "owns the molds and plates, and we have our own patterns."

When asked about the company's distribution strategy, Lee said Daewoo will pursue retailers by offering exclusive sales territories. "That way we can develop a retailer into a wholesaler later on."