Seoul, KOREA ¶ Mar 06, 2012 (Whowired) -- Kumho Tires said on Mar 6 that it has been selected as the official tire supplier for 2012 Auto Grand Prix World Series (Auto GP).

Auto GP traced its root back to Italia Popular 300 Series which was initiated in 1999. In 2010, it was renamed and reborn as Auto GP, especially upgrading its tires and horse power to the equivalences of F1. And in 2012, Auto GP goes beyond Europe to open its series not only in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Hungry but also in Morocco, Brazil and the USA.

And this year, Kumho Tires has inherited the status of the official tire supplier for Auto GP from Michelin after it was recognized for its long history of global motor sports sponsorship including F3, ALMS, WRC and Super GT. And, in 2007, the quality of Kumho Tires was proven once again as it developed prototype tires for F1.

Auto GP’s Enzo Coloni said “Auto GP has decided to select Kumho Tires as our tire supplier after recognizing its outstanding tire technology through its global motor sports activities,” also adding “We expect Kumho Tires will fully show its accumulated experiences and technologies at Auto GP 2012.” Joo Kyung-tae, Marketing Director for Kumho Tires also said “We are delighted to be selected as the official tire for Auto GP which is widely considered as the pre-step for F1,” also adding that “Kumho Tires will take this opportunity to show our top tire qualities as well as to strengthen our brand image on the global stage.”  

Kumho Tires also has an ambitious plan for participating in F1 in future as it has long been preparing for that opportunity by sponsoring a number of global racing events like Auto GP and F3, and continuously proving its world class tire technologies.

by Adrian Han (press@whowired.com)