Apollo Tyres
An Indian multinational tyre manufacturer serving passenger-car, commercial-vehicle, agricultural and specialty applications through original-equipment and replacement markets.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Apollo Tyres is an Indian multinational tyre manufacturer headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana. Incorporated in 1972, the company developed from an India-focused producer into a business serving passenger cars, trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles, agricultural equipment and selected industrial or specialty applications. Its commercial model combines original-equipment supply to vehicle manufacturers with replacement tyres sold through dealers, distributors and other retail channels. The company’s first manufacturing facility was commissioned at Perambra in Kerala in 1977. It subsequently expanded its Indian production base through a plant at Limda in Gujarat, the acquisition of Premier Tyres, a facility at Chennai and further manufacturing investments. Apollo also pursued international expansion. It acquired Dunlop’s African operations in 1996, later sold the Dunlop brand and most of the South African operation to Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 2013, and acquired the Netherlands-based Vredestein Banden B.V. in 2009. Vredestein became an important part of Apollo’s European business and brand portfolio. Apollo Tyres operates the Apollo and Vredestein brands in Europe, with European manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands and Hungary. The company also established research and development capabilities in Enschede and Chennai, supporting product development for different climates, road conditions and vehicle categories. In 2015, it expanded its distribution presence in Germany through the acquisition of Reifencom and moved its European corporate office to Amsterdam. India remains the company’s principal market and revenue base. The business serves private motorists, commercial transport operators, vehicle fleets, agricultural users, distributors and original-equipment manufacturers. Its product range includes tyres for passenger cars, trucks, buses, light commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery and selected industrial uses. The company’s portfolio and manufacturing footprint can change as facilities, brands and markets are added or divested; current operational details should therefore be checked against its latest corporate disclosures.
History
Apollo Tyres Limited was incorporated in India on 28 September 1972 as a public limited company and received its certificate of commencement of business on 24 October of the same year. The founding promotion involved Bharat Steel Tubes, Raunaq International, Raunaq & Co., Raunaq Singh, Mathew T. Marattukalam and Jacob Thomas. The company completed its initial public offering in 1975, establishing a listed ownership structure while it built its manufacturing base. Apollo's first tyre plant was commissioned at Perambra in Thrissur, Kerala, in 1977. The company initially developed particular strength in truck tyres and introduced the Rajdhani truck tyre in India. A second plant followed at Limda in Gujarat in 1991. In 1995, Apollo acquired Premier Tyres Limited, adding the Kochi facility to its Indian manufacturing network and broadening its production capacity. The company began expanding beyond India in 1996 by acquiring Dunlop's African operations. This gave Apollo an international manufacturing and commercial presence, although the African assets were later reshaped. In 2013, Apollo sold the Dunlop brand in Africa and most of its South African operations to Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The same year, it established a global research and development centre in Enschede, the Netherlands. A major international step came in 2009, when Apollo acquired Vredestein Banden B.V., a Netherlands-based tyre producer. The acquisition added European manufacturing and the Vredestein brand to Apollo's portfolio. Apollo later developed a second European plant in Hungary, inaugurated in April 2017, while continuing to operate the acquired facility in the Netherlands. In Europe, the company markets Apollo and Vredestein tyres, as well as the Maloya brand in relevant markets. Apollo continued to expand its Indian industrial footprint with a Chennai plant opened in 2008. In 2015, it acquired German tyre distributor Reifencom for €45.6 million, according to the cited reference material, and moved its European regional corporate office from Enschede to Amsterdam. It also opened an Asia-focused global R&D centre in Chennai. In 2016, the company signed a memorandum with the Government of Andhra Pradesh concerning a proposed tyre plant. A foundation stone was laid in January 2018 for a planned facility near Sri City in Tirupati district, intended to produce passenger-car radial and truck-bus radial tyres for domestic and export markets. The company has also faced regulatory scrutiny. In 2022, the Competition Commission of India investigated alleged anti-competitive information sharing and tyre-price coordination involving Apollo Tyres and other manufacturers. The matter followed complaints concerning supplies to Haryana's public transport corporation. Apollo was reported as receiving a substantial penalty in the CCI action. By the 2020s, Apollo Tyres had become a multinational manufacturer with five manufacturing units in India and European facilities in the Netherlands and Hungary, supported by research, distribution and branded-market operations. India remained its dominant revenue market, while Europe represented a significant international base. Its business continues to span original-equipment and replacement tyres across passenger, commercial, agricultural and selected specialty applications.
- 2022
CCI cartel case
[1]The Competition Commission of India takes action concerning alleged anti-competitive conduct involving Apollo and other tyre manufacturers.
- 2017
Hungarian plant is inaugurated
[1]Apollo inaugurates its second European tyre plant near Gyöngyöshalász, Hungary.
- 2015
Reifencom is acquired
[1]Apollo acquires German tyre distributor Reifencom for €45.6 million, according to the cited reference.
- 2013
African Dunlop operations are divested
[1]Apollo sells the Dunlop brand in Africa and most of its South African operations to Sumitomo Rubber Industries.
- 2013
Global R&D centre opens in Enschede
[1]The company establishes a global research and development centre in the Netherlands.
- 2009
Vredestein Banden is acquired
[1]Apollo acquires Netherlands-based tyre manufacturer Vredestein Banden B.V.
- 2008
Chennai plant begins operations
[1]Apollo starts a new manufacturing facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- 1996
International expansion into Africa
[1]Apollo acquires Dunlop's African operations.
- 1995
Premier Tyres is acquired
[1]Apollo acquires Premier Tyres Limited, adding the Kochi plant to its operations.
- 1991
Limda plant opens
[1]The company adds a second Indian manufacturing facility at Limda, Gujarat.
Products and positioning
A broad-based Indian tyre manufacturer combining strong domestic-market operations with international Apollo and Vredestein businesses, serving both original-equipment and replacement markets.
Tyres
Passenger-car tyres
Tyres for passenger cars sold through both original-equipment and replacement channels. The range spans different vehicle sizes, road conditions and performance requirements, with Apollo products principally associated with the Indian and wider international markets and Vredestein products contributing to the European portfolio.
Commercial-vehicle tyres
Truck and bus tyres
Tyres for trucks, buses and other heavy commercial vehicles. Apollo developed early expertise in this segment in India and introduced the Rajdhani truck tyre. The category supports freight operators, public transport, long-distance haulage and fleet users through original-equipment and replacement applications.
Commercial-vehicle tyres
Light commercial vehicle tyres
Tyres for vans, small trucks and other light commercial vehicles used in distribution, passenger transport and local freight operations. Product specifications vary by load, axle position, mileage expectations and market.
Agricultural tyres
Agricultural tyres
Tyres for agricultural machinery and related equipment. These products address operating conditions distinct from road vehicles, including field traction, load support and mixed road-and-field use.
Specialty tyres
Industrial and specialty tyres
Tyres for selected industrial, off-road and other specialized applications. Availability, specifications and branding vary across markets and are subject to the company's current product catalogue.
Controversies
2022
Alleged tyre-price coordination and CCI penalty
The Competition Commission of India investigated Apollo Tyres and other manufacturers over alleged sharing of price-sensitive information and coordination of tyre prices in connection with supplies to Haryana's public transport corporation. Apollo was reported as receiving a penalty of ₹425.53 crore in the related action.
2022
CCI fines tyre manufacturers for cartelisation
India's Competition Commission imposed penalties on Apollo Tyres, MRF, CEAT, JK Tyre and Birla Tyres for cartelisation and issued a cease-and-desist order. The regulator said the manufacturers exchanged price-sensitive data and made collective tyre-pricing decisions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Indian national cricket team sponsorship
India
Apollo Tyres was announced as a sponsor of the Indian national cricket team under a reported three-year agreement covering bilateral and ICC fixtures.
Outcome. Reported sponsorship agreement
Brand decisions
2018
Plan Andhra Pradesh manufacturing investmentStrategyBackground
Apollo sought additional Indian capacity for passenger-car radial and truck-bus radial tyres.
Action taken
A foundation stone was laid for a proposed tyre factory near Sri City in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh.
Aftermath
The proposed facility was intended to serve domestic and export markets, but the supplied material does not establish its final operating status.
Announced planned investment. ₹1,800 crore (2018 announcement)
2015
Acquire ReifencomM&ABackground
Apollo aimed to strengthen its European distribution capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired German tyre distributor Reifencom.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Apollo's access to European replacement-tyre distribution.
Acquisition consideration. €45.6 million (2015)
2009
Acquire Vredestein Banden B.V.M&ABackground
Apollo pursued a European manufacturing and brand platform.
Action taken
Apollo acquired the Netherlands-based tyre manufacturer Vredestein Banden B.V.
Aftermath
Vredestein became a major part of Apollo's European manufacturing and branded-market activities.
1996
Acquire Dunlop's African operationsM&ABackground
Apollo sought to establish an international operating presence beyond India.
Action taken
The company acquired Dunlop's African operations.
Aftermath
Apollo later divested the Dunlop brand in Africa and most of its South African operations in 2013.
Recent events
Reported
CCI fines tyre manufacturers for cartelisation[3]
India's Competition Commission imposed penalties on Apollo Tyres, MRF, CEAT, JK Tyre and Birla Tyres for cartelisation and issued a cease-and-desist order. The regulator said the manufacturers exchanged price-sensitive data and made collective tyre-pricing decisions.
Reported
Apollo Tyres enters online sales in India[4]
Apollo Tyres entered the online sales space in India by launching an e-commerce portal through which customers can buy car and two-wheeler tyres and arrange fitting through dealers.
Reported
Apollo Tyres ties up with Al-Jomaih Tyres for Saudi distribution[5]
Apollo Tyres announced a tie-up with Al-Jomaih Tyres Company Limited, described as the exclusive distributor for the Kingdom, as part of Apollo's Saudi market entry.
Reported
Apollo Tyres announces entry into Saudi Arabia[5]
Apollo Tyres announced its entry into Saudi Arabia through a tie-up with Al-Jomaih Tyres Company Limited, its exclusive distributor in the Kingdom.
Reported
Mindshare launches Apollo Apterra AT2 campaign in India[6]
Mindshare launched an integrated media campaign in India for Apollo Tyres’ Apollo Apterra AT2 all-terrain tyres, targeting the SUV segment.
- Unconfirmed
Apollo Tyres partners with Al-Jomaih to enter Saudi Arabia[7]
Apollo Tyres announced its entry into Saudi Arabia through a partnership with Al-Jomaih Tyres Company.
Reported
Apollo Tyres appoints Atulya Sharma as Chief Legal Counsel[8]
Apollo Tyres appointed Atulya Sharma as Chief Legal Counsel. He will oversee the company's legal and corporate secretarial functions and report to Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar.
Sources9 sources
- 1Apollo Tyresen.wikipedia.org
- 2Apollo Tyres official corporate websiteapollotyres.com
- 3CCI fines tyre manufacturers for cartelisationfreepressjournal.in
- 4阿波罗轮胎进入印度线上销售领域indianexpress.com
- 5Apollo Tyres与Al-Jomaih Tyres达成沙特经销合作saudigazette.com.sa
- 6Mindshare在印度推出Apollo Apterra AT2宣传活动indiantelevision.com
- 7Apollo Tyres 与 Al-Jomaih 合作进入沙特阿拉伯argaam.com
- 8Apollo Tyres任命Atulya Sharma为首席法律顾问cardekho.com
- 9India’s Apollo Tyres enters Saudi market via local distributorarabnews.com
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