Apollo Tyres recently opened its first two-wheeler tyre manufacturing unit in India to cater to growing demand for the premium two-wheeler bikes. In an interview, Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & MD, Apollo Tyres, spoke on the new plant and growth in the premium bike segment and the company’s readiness for the premium two-wheeler tyre market..
With the opening of its two-wheeler manufacturing facility, Apollo Tyres aims at having a “strong foothold” in the premium segment of two-wheeler tyres, which is the comparatively high-value and highly profitable segment, India.
With having a vision of to be a premier tyre company with a diversified and multinational presence, Apollo Tyres manufactures and supplies a wide range of tyres for trucks and buses, light trucks, passenger vehicles, off-highway vehicles and two-wheelers.
“We are known for offering technologically advanced products to our consumers in all the categories. Getting into the premium biking segment was a natural progression for us,” said Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman & MD, Apollo Tyres.
With the new facility, Apollo Tyres now plans to have a strong foothold in premium motorcycle tyre market in India. Despite being a late entrant, Apollo Tyre has already grabbed a 7% market share in the replacement market in the two-wheeler tyre space due to a best-in-class and high-technology product portfolio.
The new two-wheeler tyre manufacturing unit is located within Apollo Tyres’ Limda plant in Vadodara, Gujarat, which has an initial capacity to produce 30,000 motorcycle radials and 60,000 cross-ply motorcycle tyres per month. With a modular layout of the facility, the capacity can be replicated easily, as the demand increases.
“We now have a global portfolio of high-end bias and steel radial tyres for two-wheelers, which will be produced at our highly advanced and futuristic facility in Vadodara, Gujarat,” added Kanwar.
Apollo Tyres, in 2016, entered the two-wheeler tyre business by launching India’s first zero-degree steel radial tyres, a global gold standard for motorcycle tyres, and now commands a double-digit market share in this segment. “Being a late entrant into the two-wheeler tyre space, we wanted to create an impact in the market. In under four years, we have built an entire range for Indian and European market, grown at a CAGR of 35%, catered to market with a new last-mile distributor model and built a grounds-up connect with the biking community through our multiple brand initiatives,” said Kanwar.
Apollo Tyres is looking at selling our two-wheeler tyres from the Vadodara facility to all market segments, including exports. “In fact, we already have shipped the first consignment from this facility for the European market,” added Kanwar.
Premium bike segment
The premium bike segment, which constitutes nearly 20% of the motorcycle market in India, is the fastest growing one. According to a TechSci research report, the Indian premium motorcycles market is projected to reach $ 161 million by 2023, on account of rising Y Generation population and per capita income, and availability of a wide array of premium motorcycle models and easy financing options. The report also added that increasing number of CKD and SKD units, the launch of newer and advanced premium motorcycle brands and models, rising popularity of superbike clubs and communities, and increasing biking culture are among the key factors expected to drive the country’s premium motorcycles market in the coming years.
“India also is the largest market for two-wheelers, and it still has headroom for further growth. In the current pandemic era as well, there is the demand coming in as people are moving away from shared and public transport and gradually moving to own a personal vehicle, including a two-wheeler, further driving the demand for tyres in this category,” said Kanwar.
Though many tyre companies are betting high on the premium tyre segment, commuting bikes will continue to dominate the market. According to Kanwar, the ec - 02.png)
onomy segment bikes still drive volumes for Apollo Tyres’ two-wheeler tyre business. Instead of looking at this segment as a commodity business, the company caters to the segment with multiple product offerings according to various markets in India. “We have seen emerging trends in this segment like the rapid rise of delivery and courier services and have built specialised offerings for this space as well,” said Kanwar.
Along with having a leading position in India, Apollo Tyres is also expanding its business in the challenging and advanced automotive markets in Europe and the Americas. Apart from having five manufacturing plants- Chennai, Perambra, Limda, Kalamassery and most recently, Chittoor- in India, the company has established two manufacturing plants outside of India – The Netherlands and Hungary.
Having global R&D centres in India and Europe give distinctive advantages to Apollo Tyres to caters to all segments. Both R&D teams use their collaborative experience to come up with technologically advanced products for the premium bikes. “Entering the two-wheeler segment in 2016, we used the global knowhow, to come out with zero-degree steel-belted radials in 2018, a global gold standard for motorcycle tyres,” said Kanwar.
Apollo Tyres has used the concept of ‘design to delivery’ while setting up this two-wheeler tyre facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. Most of the equipment used are special purpose machines, which have been conceptualised in-house and converted to reality.
However, the competition in the two-wheeler tyre segment in India is very high, and few companies have dominated the segment. The segment is expected to be more crowded with new entrants. Apollo Tyres has set its focus on the premium segment of two-wheelers, which is 20% of the entire two-wheelers while supplying to the mass market segment. “We are looking at servicing this segment with our zero-degree steel belted radials and high-end bias tyres. Our strategy is to build the brand and create a pull for our products across categories. We have been actively engaging with several biking communities and enthusiastic and passionate riders,” explained Kanwar.
In FY 2020, in the two-wheeler segment, the company launched 17 new SKUs for the higher premium bikes and scooters and extended its steel radial portfolio with the launch of two new SKUs – Alpha S1 140/60 R17 and 130/70 R17. For its two-wheeler business, the company executed the Alpha sustenance campaign earlier in 2020 to make it one of the most viewed brands by the end of the campaign.
Talking on the recent imposition in Chinese tyres, Kanwar said, “We are definitely better placed than before.”
Indian Rubber Institute Appoints Industry Veteran Vijay K Misra As Chairman
- By TT News
- December 30, 2025
The Indian Rubber Institute (IRI) has confirmed Vijay K Misra as its new Chairman following a formal election. With a distinguished career spanning nearly 50 years in the tyre and rubber sector, Misra possesses extensive expertise in technology, product development, international collaborations and major greenfield projects.
His deep industry connections and proven leadership are anticipated to steer the IRI through its next period of growth and enhanced impact. The Institute also formally acknowledged Misra's pivotal role in founding the Dr D Banerjee Centre of Excellence in Mysuru, a premier hub for advanced training and industry-academia synergy.
Concurrently, sincere appreciation was extended to outgoing Chairman Dr R Mukhopadhyay for his valuable guidance, as he continues to support the Institute in the role of Chairman Emeritus.
Sumitomo Rubber Restructures Top Management
- By TT News
- December 26, 2025
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a forthcoming change to its representative leadership at a meeting on 25 December 2025, pending formal ratification at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for 26 March 2026.
The shift is part of a planned reorganisation of the company’s management framework effective from that date. Under the new structure, current Director and Senior Executive Officer Yasuaki Kuniyasu is slated to be appointed as the new Representative Director, President and CEO. Concurrently, the present President and CEO, Satoru Yamamoto, is expected to transition to the role of Representative Director and Chairperson of the Board.
Yasuaki Kuniyasu, aged 56, began his career with the company in April 1992. His tenure includes significant leadership roles, such as General Manager of the Tyre Technology Headquarters and, from January 2023, General Manager of the Corporate Management Planning & Administration Department. He has served as a Director and Senior Executive Officer since March 2023 and held 8,400 shares in the company as of 30 June 2025.
This planned succession aims to establish a renewed executive team to guide the company forward under its new governance model.
Back-To-Back CDP 'A' Rating Cements Hankook Tire's ESG Leadership
- By TT News
- December 26, 2025
Hankook Tire has secured a top-tier ‘A’ rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in Climate Change category for the second year in a row, affirming its status as a global leader in environmental stewardship. The CDP assessment is among the world’s most authoritative benchmarks for corporate sustainability, evaluating governance, emissions reduction and transparency. Hankook’s achievement reflects its comprehensive approach to managing climate impacts throughout its entire value chain, from raw materials to end-of-life tyre management.
This recognition is underpinned by a robust, long-term strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2023, the company’s near-term 2030 goals and its 2050 net-zero ambition were formally validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Governance is central to this progress, with a dedicated Board-level Climate Change Committee ensuring climate risks and opportunities are integrated into core business decisions and that reduction progress is meticulously tracked and disclosed.
Operationally, Hankook is transforming its global production towards sustainable systems. It pioneered the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS in the tyre industry at its Geumsan Plant in 2021, a milestone since extended to facilities in Hungary and Daejeon. This establishes a certified framework for manufacturing sustainable tyres across consumer, original equipment and motorsport segments.
Complementing these efforts, Hankook is driving material innovation through strategic partnerships. The company is collaborating with firms like ROTOBOOST and Solvay to develop next-generation, low-carbon materials such as turquoise hydrogen-based carbon black and circular silica. It is also engaging in national research consortia to scale promising carbon reduction technologies. These initiatives are part of Hankook’s broader circular economy vision, branded E.Circle, which focuses on reducing fossil fuel dependence, conserving natural resources and systematically cutting carbon emissions.
Hankook’s leadership has garnered significant external validation. It earned the highest environmental accreditation from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and was named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista. Together, these accomplishments demonstrate how Hankook Tire is embedding sustainability into its corporate identity to build long-term value and industry-wide resilience.
GRI Tyre Wins Sustainability And Innovation Honours At Automechanika Dubai
- By TT News
- December 23, 2025
ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has won two awards at the Awards, receiving Sustainable Product of the Year and being Highly Commended in the Innovative Product of the Year category.
The awards were presented last week in Dubai and add to earlier recognition for the product, which received the Best Innovation in Sustainability award at in Chicago earlier this year.
The Sustainable Product of the Year and Innovative Product of the Year categories recognise products that demonstrate environmental responsibility and technological innovation in the global automotive and mobility industry. The judges cited the tyre’s use of environmentally friendly materials and its reduced environmental impact.
The ULTIMATE GREEN XT, identified by its green colour, has been developed with a focus on sustainability while maintaining performance, durability and safety standards. The Sustainable Product of the Year award reflects its contribution to more sustainable mobility solutions, while the innovation commendation highlights its design and engineering approach.
Automechanika Dubai is the largest international trade fair for the automotive aftermarket across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and industry leaders. Recognition at the event underlines the international profile of the ULTIMATE GREEN XT following its earlier award in the United States.
Barry Guildford, global commercial director of GRI Tires, said, “This recognition at Automechanika Dubai is a proud milestone for GRI. The ULTIMATE GREEN XT reflects our vision of delivering innovative tire solutions that support sustainability while meeting the evolving needs of our customers worldwide.”
GRI said it would continue to invest in research and development aimed at advancing sustainable tyre technologies, following the continued recognition of the ULTIMATE GREEN XT in international markets.
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