Apollo Tyres is expecting to step up after market sales of its branded tyres in Europe to 60,000 to 65,000 by next winter (from September). The company is currently selling approximately 50,000 ‘Apollo Tyre' a month in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and Italy.

This is over and above the sales of ‘Vredestein' branded tyres manufactured by its European outfit Apollo Vredestein BV. Apollo tyre was the first major made in India brand to be launched in Europe last year.

Mr. Neeraj RS Kanwar CMD of Apollo Tyres told Business Line that “The winter bookings have already begun and we are expecting sales to pick up in the coming season.”

He said “We are not in a hurry to sell volumes. We are there to build a brand from India. Thankfully the customer feedback to our tyres is very good and we are slowly but steadily gaining ground.”

Winter sales are extremely important for tyre makers to gain customers' confidence in Europe.

Though it officially entered the European market with four home grown passenger car and SUV radials in May 2010, sales of “Apollo” tyres has actually picked up in the winter season leading to a total sales turnover in Europe of EUR 5.5 million during the second half of the fiscal.

(Sourced from BL)