South Korea’s Kumho Tire Co. Inc. has expanded its testing capabilities in Europe, setting up a 10,750-sq.-ft. tyre preparation facility at an independent proving grounds near Papenburg to help it develop its position in the European market.
The facility, located at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg G.m.b.H. in northwest Germany, will allow Kumho to improve its ability to assess subjective handling, wet-handling characteristics, aquaplaning, driving comfort, interior/exterior noise and braking, according to the tyre maker.
The facility, operating under the aegis of the Kumho European Technical Centre (KETC) in Frankfurt, is staffed by a team of nine, Kumho said.
“The creation of this self-contained test center is another important milestone in our latest product strategy, and invaluable in terms of our research and product development for the European market,” said Sven Rath, KETC’s manager of outside testing.
KETC said it tests around 3,000 tyres a year to support its portfolio of OE contracts and new product introductions for the European aftermarket.
The ATP offers more than 25 miles of paved testing area, including a 7.6-mile high-speed oval, two 7.5-mile handling courses, a wet-handling course, etc., on a 315-acre complex.
Tyre-testing activities at Papenburg will be supported by GPS-based measurement systems and digital evaluation of the tyre footprints, the tyre maker said. Kumho said it also uses independent testing facilities in Tarragona, Spain; Nardo, Italy; Nürburgring, Germany; and Ivalo, Finland.
Kumho opened a $90 million research and development center in Yongin City, South Korea, last September that oversees all basic R&D.