Apollo Tyres introduced the Amazer XP, a BS-VI compliant and electric vehicle ready, to cater to passenger vehicles' eco-friendly and fuel-efficient space, a fast-emerging segment.

Designed and developed by the two Global R&D Centres -- in Enschede, the Netherlands and Chennai, India, the new tyre will be produced at the company's Oragadam, Tamil Nadu and Limda, Gujarat units.

The company is looking at catering to the eco-friendly/ fuel-efficient market space of approximately 2 lakh tyres a month. These tyres are launching seven sizes today; five more sizes would be introduced in Phase 2.

Apollo Tyres said with best in class rolling resistance coefficient, Amazer XP has been thoroughly tested.  It has already gained OE approval for Tata Tigor EV, Renault Kwid, Hyundai Grand i10, Datsun Go & Go+.

The sizes being released today, are:

·        145/80 R12 (Alto)

·        155/16 R14 (WagonR, WagonR Stingray)

·        165/70 R14 (Kwid, Datsun, Celerio, Go, Go+, Micra)

·        165/80 R14 (Swift, Altroz)

·        175/65 R14 (Tigor, Bolt, Zest, Amaze, Etios, Brio)

·        185/65 R14 (i20, Old Verna)

·        185/70 R14 (Swift, Old DZire, Verito)

Amazer XP (Xtra Performance) is a greener, cleaner tyre that comes packed with many Xtra features like Xtra fuel efficiency, Xtra comfort, Xtra silent, Xtra braking and Xtra handling. These tyres would cater to most of the cars in the hatchback and sedan segments.

Commenting on the launch, Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd said "The Apollo Amazer XP tyres are the new-age fuel efficient tyres for the electric age, which is BSVI ready. This eco-friendly tyre is another small contribution from us towards a greener and sustainable future. The number of OE fitment approvals that we have received within a short span of time for these tyres, is a testimony to the superb performance one can expect from these tyres. We are already looking at dominating the passenger EV space in India with these tyres."

The Apollo Amazer XP tyres have been developed using low rolling resistance compound for better fuel efficiency. The helical placement of sipes, provides the added edge to the tyres, for a smooth interaction with the road, thereby ensuring improved comfort. The trumpet groove design on the shoulders promises a low tread pattern noise and a silent cabin.

Goodyear has earned the prestigious ‘Master’ supplier rating by DAF for the fourth consecutive year.

Goodyear's excellence in crucial areas including product development, operational support and alignment with DAF's business objectives is highlighted by this recognition, which is a component of DAF's Supplier excellence Management (SPM) programme. Three performance categories – Achiever, Leader and Master – are used by the programme to assess vendors. The highest honour, the ‘Master’ rating, is given to suppliers that continuously exhibit exceptional performance and cultivate a close working relationship with DAF. By retaining the ‘Master’ rating for the fourth year, Goodyear underlines its position as a reliable industry partner committed to enhancing customer performance and efficiency.

Xavier Fraipont, Vice President Commercial PBU EMEA at Goodyear, said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Master’ rating from DAF for the fourth consecutive year. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams in delivering high-performing products and reliable support to DAF. It also underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership, built on a foundation of premium quality, innovations and collaboration.”

Apollo Tyres NL BV plans to close its Enschede manufacturing facility in the Netherlands by mid-2026, citing unsustainable production costs and declining demand for its speciality tyres.

The Dutch tyre manufacturer, a subsidiary of India-based Apollo Tyres Ltd, has formally submitted a Request for Advice to the Works Council regarding the intended closure, the company said in a statement Friday. The decision follows "thorough investigation and careful consideration" after cost-cutting initiatives failed to offset rising inflation.

"Submitting the Request for Advice to the Work's Council on the intended decision to discontinue production has been enormously difficult," said Benoit Rivallant, President of Apollo Tyres NL. "In the last few years, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce costs at Enschede. These initiatives resulted in some savings, but most were completely negated due to the ever-increasing inflation."

According to the statement, the Enschede plant, which produces pneumatic tyres for cars and agricultural vehicles, has struggled with "macro-economic disruptions, steep increases in energy and labour costs, and a decline in demand for Spacemaster and Agri tyres. " Pressure from low-cost competitors has further squeezed margins.

The company said it would continue normal operations while consulting with the Works Council and that the final decision remains subject to supervisory board approval. Management has committed to maintaining communication with employees, customers and suppliers throughout the process.

Apollo Tyres Ltd, headquartered in Gurugram, India, ranks among the leading tyre manufacturers. The company did not specify how many jobs would be affected by the closure.
    
 

The Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), a research organisation working as part of Rubber Board, has announced its proposal to appoint a ‘Research Associate (statistician)’ to work in the Botany Division on temporary basis. The selection will be based on a written test cum walk-in interview.

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Agricultural Statistics or equivalent qualification to be eligible for the position. As per the criteria, the age of candidates applying for the position should not exceed 35 years as of 31 January 2025.  Interested candidates are advised to meet the Director of Research, Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board, Kottayam–9 on 6 May 2025 at 9.30 am along with the original documents their age, educational qualifications, experience etc. Those interested can contact on 0481-2353311 or visit www.rubberboard.gov.in for further details.

Vaculug Ltd has officially launched its new mobile application, V-Torque, to support fleet managers and commercial vehicle technicians across the UK.

V-Torque is intended to improve the effectiveness and safety of vehicle maintenance by giving commercial vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes operating in the UK instant access to wheel nut torque requirements and re-torque settings. Thanks to the app's sophisticated capabilities, users can oversee and control re-torquing procedures with unparalleled precision, guaranteeing the highest level of wheel security compliance. V-Torque lowers maintenance costs and advances fleet operations' sustainability objectives by optimising these procedures. After successful field tests with a few chosen service providers, the app is now accessible on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Glenn Sherwood, Chief Growth Officer of Vaculug Ltd, said, “We are thrilled to introduce V-Torque, a product born from our unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The app amplifies our dedication to driving positive change in the industry.”