Apollo to manufacture Vredestein brand tires in India

Gurugram, India – Apollo Tyres Ltd will manufacture Vredestein brand tires at its production facilities in India as part of a launch of the premium European brand in its home country, Apollo announced 24 Oct.

The move, said the tire maker, "will cater to" India's premium and luxury passenger car segment, while two-wheeler tires from the brand will be geared towards its "growing superbiking segment.”

In a written statement to ERJ, the company said the India-made tires are being produced at manufacturing facilities in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai and Vadodara but did not provide further details on the production capacity.

The tires, it said, would be produced in sizes of 15” to 20” in the passenger vehicle segment. 

Vredestein Ultrac Vorti will be supplied to luxury sedans such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Land Rover and Volvo while Vredestein Ultrac will cater to hatchback and sedans such as Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Baleno. 

Two-wheeler tires Centauro NS and ST will be supplied to the entire sport touring and super sports range of motorcycles.

“India has been witnessing a high growth in the premium and luxury segment of cars, and also in the superbiking segment,” said Neeraj Kanwar, vice chairman and managing director.

Recent import restrictions on tires imposed by the Indian government had made a strong business case for bringing the brand into India, noted Satish Sharma, president, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

“Apollo Tyres will use its existing network of business partners, especially premium tier 1 counters, to sell the Vredestein brand of tires,” Sharma added.

Vredestein has been operating in the replacement market primarily in Europe and the US markets. 

Recently, the company started supplying tires to European OEs, including Audi, VW, SEAT and Ford. 

Similarly in India, Apollo intends to initially sell the tires in the replacement market and target OE fitments at a later stage.