Apollo Tyres has announced the introduction of its premium European brand, Vredestein into India.
Vredestein, which is known for its designer and high- quality tyres, is entering India with tyre sizes of 15- to 20 inches, primarily catering to the luxury coupes, premium luxury saloons and SUVs, with top speeds up to 240 to 300kph These tyres, the company says, will complement Apollo’s existing product range in the passenger vehicle tyres space.
The Vredestein tyres being introduced currently are Ultrac Sessanta, Ultrac SUV Sessanta, Ultrac Cento and Sportrac 5, all bearing the signature touch of renowned automobile designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Commenting on the development, Onkar S Kanwar, chairman, Apollo Tyres, said: “India will benefit immensely from the globalisation efforts of the company. Our investments in R&D centres of excellence, positioning of the brand and other marketing initiatives will endear us more to the discerning Indian customers. A major differentiator for this 100-year-old brand, Vredestein, is its premium styling and ultra-high performance, the two most important factors considered by owners of luxury cars before buying a tyre.”
Vredestein tyres will be distributed through a hand-picked set of business partners in India, mostly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. These premium tyres would be sold through multi-branded outlets, including existing Apollo Zones. As a new entrant into India, Vredestein will leverage Apollo Tyres’ robust network, its trained sales force and the promise of 24-hour service.
Manufactured in the state-of-the-art facility in Enschede, in The Netherlands, Vredestein tyres are sold largely in the aftermarket and are shod on a large number of luxury vehicles across the European Union, the United States, the Middle East and China.