RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.—J.B. Kim, president of Kumho Tire North America, is returning to parent Kumho Tire Co. Inc. in South Korea, and being replaced by Hai Eok "Harry" Cho.
Kim's new assignment will be to head Kumho's original equipment sales division and the South Korean market replacement sales division. Cho is a 20-year veteran of the company, with a background in both sales and marketing leadership positions in South Korea, Europe and Latin America.
The management transition began Jan. 1 and will be completed by the end of January, according to Kumho Tire U.S.A. Inc
Kim led Kumho Tire North America for the past four years through significant market challenges, Kumho said. Over the past few years, Kumho North America has seen improvement in brand awareness through its marketing activities, the company said, claiming awareness increased by 8 percent per year between 2008 and 2012.