First commercial OEM deal: Apollo tyres for Iveco Way lines

A key focus of Apollo Tyres’ medium-term strategy in Europe has been original equipment deliveries in the truck and bus sector. The tyre maker has realised this with its first partnership, which sees it supply Apollo EnduTrax tyres for the Iveco Way ranges.

The supply agreement commences in April and follows Iveco Group’s rigorous testing of EnduTrax products during 2022. Apollo Tyres will supply three EnduTrax tyres in five 22.5-inch dimensions from its Gyöngyöshalász plant in Hungary: 13R22.5 EnduTrax MA, 13R22.5 EnduTrax MD, 315/80R22.5 EnduTrax MA, 315/80R22.5 EnduTrax MD, 385/65R22.5 EnduTrax MA HD.

According to Apollo Tyres, each product in the EnduTrax family is suited to a variety of applications, from large trucks to off-road tippers, and is specifically designed for use across tough terrain. It features an advanced compound which delivers 11 per cent more cut and chip resistance than a standard Apollo regional all-wheel tyre, providing reliability over demanding surfaces such as rubble and steep gradients.

The tyre also has 14 per cent extra cushioning between the tread and belt, which affords a higher resistance to chipping and stone drilling, while rubber contact has been improved by five per cent to enhance tread rigidity and offer more mileage. As a result, the tyre’s tread remains effective for longer, reducing the chance of a cut which could develop into a larger tear and impact grip and overall performance.

EnduTrax has enhanced retreadability, thanks to a durable and optimised ply casing – a key requirement for many customers. Even rates of wear across the tread pattern are facilitated by a wide contact area, which affords uniform pressure distribution. The reinforced casing also contributes to high levels of durability, which far exceeds the European regulatory requirement.

Years of dedicated effort

“We’re very proud to partner with one of the most important commercial vehicle manufacturers in Europe, supplying our impressive range of EnduTrax tyres and assisting the business with our established European service and aftersales teams,” comments John Nikhil Joy, cluster director Europe – Truck & Bus Tyres, Apollo Tyres. “I would like to thank Giuseppe Roberto Russo (Apollo Tyres’ OE manager Europe, truck & bus tyres) for his efforts, which have been instrumental in securing this exciting commercial agreement. We look forward to building a strong relationship with IVECO and supporting additional projects going forward.”

Yves Pouliquen, group head of sales and marketing at Apollo Tyres, adds: “Today marks the beginning of a significant journey with Iveco, which is the culmination of years of dedicated effort from the entire Apollo TBR team. Our primary objective is to establish our brand and products as a crucial asset for top manufacturers of trucks, buses and trailers in Europe, and by extension, for fleets across the market. Our exceptional service, cutting-edge product technology, and state-of-the-art plant in Europe have earned us the trust of the market, allowing us to compete with premium brands and disrupt the status quo, all while striving to create unparalleled value for our partners.”