Kumho Targets Rugged-Terrain Segment With New Tire

Feedback-driven

“We listened carefully to our customers” when developing the Road Venture RT, said Ed Cho, CEO of Kumho Tire U.S.A., before the ride-and-drive event kicked off. “They want a product that gives them confidence.”

"As we design these products, we do it with your feedback,” Rick Cunat, managing director, Kumho Americas Technical Center, told dealers and distributors. “Because this is a new entry into (the R/T segment) for Kumho, it was very important to get this right.

"Durability and traction are very important in this segment – and also a quiet, comfortable ride on the road. When we talk about some of the technology we’ve put into this tire, we talk about interlocking tread blocks. What that provides is stability for handling. Variable pitch design is all about noise minimization. Wet performance is very important. We optimized groove designs so water can evacuate (the tire’s) footprint.

"Wear is another big (consideration.) As the tire rolls over the ground, we wanted to make sure the pressure distribution across the footprint is even. That’s very critical when it comes to wear performance. Aesthetically, we wanted to make this tire very pleasing. Aesthetics are very important in the R/T segment. We spent a lot of time in the design studio to develop a very robust, aesthetically pleasing design.” 

Product positioning 

When asked how Kumho is positioning the new Road Venture RT, Denlein told MTD that “the Kumho Road Venture RT sits between the Road Venture AT all-terrain tires and the Road Venture MT mud-terrain tires.

"The RT bridges the gap between our existing Road Venture tires and combines strong, rugged-terrain traction and enhanced off-road durability with great on-road comfort and quietness. The Road Venture RT can handle all road conditions, but still provides a comfortable, quiet on-road driving experience.

"We see a lot of potential in the rugged-terrain segment as truck and SUV owners seek hybrid tires that provide durability and traction for off-road activities without compromising daily driving performance,” said Denlein. 

Dealer reactions 

Haris Nadeem, CEO of USA Wheel and Tire, a wholesaler with four distribution centers in Texas and a warehouse in Georgia, told MTD that the R/T segment “is very, very big, especially in Texas.”

Nadeem sells more R/T tires than M/T and A/T tires. “An R/T (tire) is what we were lacking from Kumho. We had an A/T, we had an M/T and the new Road Venture RT will fill the gap."

He also likes the tire’s price point, adding that "we’re getting a tier-two tire at a tier-three price," and predicts that the Road Venture RT “will be very successful.”

Glenn Flath, vice president of sales for Miami, Fla.-based Tire Group International LLC, told MTD that the new Road Venture RT “hits the spot. It fills a category for Kumho that they haven’t been in.”

During the ride-and-drive, Flath said he was especially impressed by the lack of noise generated by the tire. “The cosmetic value in (the R/T) segment is important, too."

He’s convinced that the Road Venture RT will be an easy sell. “Any time we can add another arrow to our quiver, we can walk in” to a customer’s location “with more confidence.”