Kumho Tire posted sales of $860 million during the first quarter of 2025, up 15% year-over-year and a first quarter high.
“The company achieved its highest ever first-quarter performance, surpassing $714 million in quarterly sales for the sixth consecutive quarter since the fourth quarter of 2023,” according to Kumho officials.
The sales increase was driven by “expanded supply of original equipment tires and growth in the replacement tire market.”
Kumho’s consolidated first quarter operating profit totaled $105 million, “supported by strong sales of premium and high-inch tires.”
During the first quarter, high-inch products accounted for 42.6% of Kumho’s total sales, while the company’s “OE supply ratio for EV tires reached 17.9%, aided by expanded supply to new vehicle models.”
U.S. market activities
Kumho had a busy first quarter in the United States. In February, Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc. launched a new online training program, Education Driving Growth and Excellence (E.D.G.E.), designed to help Kumho tire dealers and their sales teams learn more about the company and its products.
The program offers exclusive training exercises and interactive quizzes “highlighting Kumho Tire’s industry insight and innovation used to develop the company’s Ecsta, Solus and Road Venture product lines,” say Kumho officials.
At the end of March, Kumho Tire U.S.A. moved from downtown Atlanta, Ga., to its new, 14,000-square-foot headquarters Sandy Springs, Ga.
And in early-April, the company hosted a ride-and-drive event to highlight the latest additions to its Ecsta Sport line. (Kumho first unveiled the tires during the 2024 SEMA Show.)
Plans for 2025
Kumho plans to expand its annual production capacity to 65 million units in 2025. “This growth will be driven by efficiency improvements and the additional productivity at its eight global manufacturing facilities in Korea, the United States, Vietnam and China.”
The company also is exploring the establishment of a new plant in Europe, with Poland, Portugal and Serbia currently topping the list of potential candidates.
Designating 2025 as the starting point of the company's transition to becoming a premium brand, Kumho “aims to drive high-value innovation across its brand, products, technology and operations to strengthen its global market position and deliver greater value to customers worldwide.”
