Ford has extended its original equipment business with Apollo Vredestein by selecting the Vredestein Quatrac 5 for fitment on the latest Ford Fiesta. For the past year, the Ford EcoSport has been also available from the factory equipped with the Vredestein Sportrac 5.
We heard in June that Goodyear was supplying original equipment tyres to the new Volkswagen Touareg, and Apollo Vredestein now shares that it will supply two 18-inch fitments to the latest version of VW’s flagship SUV. Buyers selecting an all-season fitment as standard can select the Vredestein Quatrac 5 in size 255/60 R18 108V, while those preferring summer rubber can plump for the Vredestein Ultrac Satin in size 255/60 R18 108W.
Production of truck tyres for the European market has commenced at the Apollo Tyres plant in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary. The tyre maker shares that the first examples of these tyres, Apollo EnduRace RT HD trailer tyres in size 385/65 R22.5, have been shipped to a transport company in Belgium. British customers will receive their Apollo tyres through Treadsetters, who earlier this year was chosen to sell and distribute the Apollo truck and bus tyre range across England, Scotland and Wales.
Following long-term testing with Vredestein Quatrac 5 and Comtrac 2 all-season tyres, Medi 4 Ambulance Services Ltd. has selected Apollo Vredestein as its tyre supplier of choice. Announcing its new role, Apollo Vredestein comments that its tyres easily proved to be the “perfect choice” for the pre-hospital patient care and transport solutions provider’s fleet, for which “safety and the ability to perform adequately in all weathers is paramount.”
During a conference call held this month, the chief financial officer of Apollo Tyres Ltd. confirmed that passenger car tyre production at the Apollo Vredestein plant in Enschede, the Netherlands would be reduced as capacity for these products grows in the company’s new, more cost-competitive facility in Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary. However, this trend shouldn’t be seen as a transfer of capacity, as the plan for Enschede going forwards is for its continued utilisation, with greater emphasis placed upon other segments.
The Apollo Altrust range has grown with the addition of the Altrust All Season. Available from 1 August, the all-season line was specifically developed for light commercial vehicles and is available in 14 sizes.
On 3 April, former Pirelli marketing director Alberto Viganò began a new role at Apollo Tyres. As general manager for the company’s two-wheel division he answers directly to Neeraj Kanwar, vice-chairman and managing director of Apollo Tyres, and is tasked with introducing motorcycle tyre lines in numerous markets – including Europe.
Tyre manufacturer Apollo Vredestein has been announced as a partner to the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Van Excellence scheme, an innovative initiative designed to recognise excellence within the commercial vehicle sector and improve operational standards.
Apollo Vredestein’s UK subsidiary has chosen Treadsetters to handle the sale and distribution of its Apollo truck and bus tyre range across England, Scotland and Wales. Apollo’s debut in Europe’s competitive TBR tyre segment was barely one year ago. The new distribution arrangement represents a change in strategy; the manufacturer had initially said the brand would be available directly from Apollo through an e-commerce system. Apollo Vredestein states the decision to partner with Treadsetters will aid in achieving the tyre manufacturer’s strategy of rapid TBR growth by combining its product range with a highly efficient and experienced distribution partner in the UK.
With the introduction of the Wintrac Pro at The Tire Cologne, Vredestein has an ultra-high-performance winter tyre that meets growing demand within the UHP segment in general and 17-inch rim diameter size bracket in particular. This successor to the Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S is currently available in 30 sizes; a further five will soon follow, and the range will eventually be extended to more than 100 sizes.
The Vredestein brand is well-known for its winter and all-season car tyres as well as its quality agricultural products, not to mention the recently launched Apollo European truck tyre range. However, one part of the company’s product portfolio has perhaps had less attention than the others here in the UK – what Apollo Vredestein calls off highway tyres (OHT). That’s why Tyres & Accessories caught up with Apollo Vredestein UK country manager Karl Naylor and recently appointed Off-Highway Tyre Specialist for the UK Agricultural & Industrial sectors Jon Cottrell.
The newest winter tyre from Vredestein will be unveiled at The Tire Cologne later this month. Details about the Vredestein Wintrac Pro are being kept under wraps until its launch on 29 May (4:00pm), however Apollo Vredestein comments that the new addition is position in the ultra-high-performance segment.
Following its entry into the UK fleet market last year with through deals with several medium-sized operators, Apollo Vredestein has landed its first fleet agreement for 2018 with Heathrow-based aviation logistics specialist CCH Logistics. The yearly contract will include the replacement of all CCH vehicle tyres, which are currently “other OE and replacement premium brands,” with Vredestein products. Tyrepress.com understands that tyre fitting and maintenance will be carried out by local firm Tomato Tyres.
Apollo Vredestein reports significant progress towards its goal of becoming recognised as a valuable supplier to fleets in 2017. According to the company, the new business has been won on the back of both Apollo and Vredestein tyres offered as test fitments, which have been running for more than a year by over 10 prestigious national and international fleets. The recent announcement of Vredestein’s entry in the OE sector as a partner to Seat, VW and Ford is said to have further strengthened the European brand’s position.
Over the past six years, Apollo Tyres has grown in Europe at a rate of ten to 11 per cent, twice the growth rate seen within the premium tyre segment, and the company attributes a significant part of this healthy growth to its Vredestein brand.
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