Kumho Tyres has been handed a major plaudit by consumer organisation, Choice with the Solus KH 15 tyre scoring highly in the annual review and comparison of car tyres.

Choice tested 15 of the best selling 195/65R15 tyres on the Australian market in a rigorous independent tyre test, which saw Kumho's Solus KH15 radial awarded the second highest score, registering 78 percent in the comparison of the most common tyre size for the small car class.

The Kumho Solus was one of four tyres ranked as a 'Choice buy' by the web site after considering performance in a number of different conditions.

The 195/65R15 is the tyre size used as original fitment size on popular models such as Toyota Corolla, VW Golf, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Honda Civic and Kia Cerato and Choice specified that all tyres in the comparison must be priced from $99 to $179.

The Kumho Solus KH15 scored highly across all of the testing criteria outpointing its leading competitors from European and Japanese makers as well as tyres from Korean and Chinese companies.

Choice compared the tyres in a range of tests including dry cornering at 80 and 85km/h, wet cornering at 75km/h, dry braking at 50 and 80 km/h and wet braking at 50 and 80 km/h.

The Kumho Solus scored highly across all criteria with the final score of 78 percent making it one of the four "Choice Buys" recommended by the consumer advocacy.

According to Kumho Tyres Australia CEO Edmund Cho, Choice's independent and unbiased testing proves the benefit of Kumho's intensive investment in research and development in tyre technology.

"To have the Kumho Solus KH15 ranked so highly in a field of some of the world's most esteemed tyre makers is testament to the efforts of Kumho engineers and designers," said Edmund Cho.

"We know how good the latest generation Kumho tyres are and now Choice has given an independent tick of approval with a result which delivers tyre buyers added confidence in the Kumho brand and the tyres we market here in Australia," he added.

Choice carried out the tyre tests using a Ford Focus with the traction control and stability program disabled without the tyre testers knowing which brand of tyre has been fitted and in random order. An added control was implemented with two sets of the same model tyre used as an additional check for variations that weren't due to model differences.

The Choice tests were weighted with 30 percent of the score based on dry cornering, 30 percent based on wet cornering and 20 percent each allocated to dry braking and wet braking.

The Choice testers also carried out rolling noise measurements at the driver's left ear at speeds of 50 and 80 km/h on a public road but found that there was only about 3dB difference between tyre models, a variation so small that most people could not discern any difference between tyres.

Since it's inception in 1960, Kumho Tyres has been a model of steady growth amid dramatic changes of the business landscape. Driven by innovation in management and technical development Kumho has become the leading tyre company in Korea.

Over the past half-century Kumho Tyres has built the foundation for a sustainable company, which has thrived through a full range of business environments and has grown to be one of the world's top 10 tyre companies.

Kumho has succeeded in the development of superior tyres for all vehicles including high performance, passenger, sports utility and recreational vehicles, as well as light trucks, heavy truck and buses, industrial, agricultural, mining and Construction vehicles as well as aircraft.

Kumho produces more than 50 million tyres annually with a massive research and development program which comprises more than 600 research personnel and 300 testing machines at proving grounds in South Korea, Japan, Europe and South America, Kumho leads the world with the latest in tyre technology, safety and performance.

In Australia Kumho markets an extensive range of tyres for cars, 4WD's, light commercials, trucks and buses with a network centered around five state locations with the ability to distribute tyres to retailers across all areas of Australia.

For further media information contact:


Jon Thomson

Thomson PR

Ph 0418 641 959

jon@thomsonpr.com.au