Apollo seeking European TBR tyre market share boost with new products, increased production

Apollo Tyres wants to build its European market share alongside the development of the commercial vehicle tyre production line at its advanced Hungarian plant. Hosting Tyres & Accessories in the final quarter of 2022, the growing manufacturer detailed its strategic five-year plan to build its presence in Europe’s truck and bus, radial (TBR) tyre market alongside the launch of its EnduMile LHT, a long haul trailer tyre targeting the continent, its first to feature A-grade fuel efficiency on the European tyre label. Apollo is taking measures to double its TBR tyre production output from the Gyöngyöshalász facility, with the target of covering up to 90 per cent of the TBR segment’s total size and specification requirements by 2025.

The EnduMile LHT was due to go into production during the first quarter of 2023, ramping up to cover 81 per cent of the 19.5-inch market requirement by 2025. Naturally, Apollo will not stop at this market segment, and other tyres will be added to production schedules in 2023. In addition to tractor unit drive and steer fitments to partner the new LHT trailer tyre, this will include the company’s entrance into the 22.5-inch winter market, with a tyre focused on all-weather performance and efficiency to complement its existing heavy truck and trailer tyre range. The company will also enter another new segment: steer and drive tyres with a low-profile 60mm aspect ratio, suitable for commercial vehicles with Euro 6-compliant engines.

Apollo also wants to add further commercial tyre business in the original equipment channel. In September 2022, Apollo’s EnduRace RT, EnduRace RT2 and EnduTrax MAHD tyres were specified by leading trailer manufacturer Schwarzmüller for its truck trailers, in its first OE deal in the European truck sector.

Recognising the complexity of the European truck and bus market, John Nikhil Joy, cluster director Europe – truck & bus tyres said the brand would focus on “delivering tier-one performance at tier-two prices,” by increasing its investment in R&D operations in Europe and India. He said this would lead to a period of “unprecedented” change and growth in the business segment. The company wants to find new ways to manage increased load capacities while maintaining competitiveness for weight, grip, traction, noise and rolling resistance. The EnduMile LHT’s robust structure is designed to facilitate retreading, enhancing sustainability and reducing whole-life costs, features the company wants to carry over to other European market products. It is also developing its connected tyre solutions, such as RFID and TPMS systems, features that will open up more of the professional fleet operator market segment by offering advanced monitoring functionality.

Apollo EnduRace CV tyres on the Apollo production line in Hungary (Photo: Apollo Tyres)