Apollo Tyres wins OE fitments in Europe

Gurgaon, India – Apollo Tyres’ premium brand Vredestein has been selected as OE fitment on the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Ford EcoSport in Europe, the Indian tire maker announced 6 Sept.

According to Apollo, supplies have already begun to the car makers and its recently-opened production plant in Gyongyoshalasz, Hungary will contribute to growing its OE portfolio in Europe.

In a recent conference call in August, company officials confirmed that OE orders had been placed for products from the Hungarian plant but did not give further details. The €475-million facility was officially opened in April.

Apollo’s sixth worldwide will have the capacity to produce 5.5 million passenger and light truck tires and 675,000 commercial vehicle tires per year once phase I is complete. It will produce both the Vredestein and Apollo brand of tires for the European market.

The tire-maker said it expected its OE-to-replacement mix in Europe to reach a ratio of 20-80 for passenger car tires.

“I would like to congratulate my team, which has been working relentlessly towards gaining OE approvals in Europe,” commented Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman & managing director, Apollo Tyres Ltd.

According to Kanwar, the fitments are the “first few” of several OE approvals in the pipeline for Apollo passenger car tires.

Vredestein Snowtrac 5 winter tire, Sportrac 5 summer tire or Quatrac5 all-season tire will be fitted on the VW Polo. The range for the SEAT Ibiza will consist of the Vredestein Sportrac 5 and the Quatrac 5, while the Ford Ecosport will be fitted with the Vredestein Sportrac5 tires.