Apollo Tyres showcases 'concept tyres' at Auto Expo 2008

New Delhi: Automobile designer Tom Tjaarda, who has styled more than 70 cars, is now designing tyres. He has designed concept tyres for the Apollo group, called Apollo Aspire TT, which are on display at the ninth Auto Expo being held in New Delhi. The company says the Apollo Aspire TT combines the inherent strengths of performance and safety. The tyre combines a bidirectional asymmetric tread pattern, created for greater grip, manoeuvring and comfort.

The company is looking keenly at the segment of concept tyres for the development of future products. Apart from the Tjaarda-designed tyre, also on display was the Dolphin concept that the company says is particularly effective on wet surfaces, with an aggressive off-shoulder for performance on uneven surfaces.

"These two concepts are a demonstration of the company's ability to deliver on the various aspects of design and technology," said Neeraj R S Kanwar, joint managing director and COO, Apollo Tyres. "I am encouraging my teams to start thinking beyond what seems possible and make the impossible a reality for our customers. Both these concepts can be brought to market in a few months, if we decide to convert them into products."

The modern glass and steel Apollo Tyres stall at Auto Expo 2008 showcases the company's strengths and product range spanning the two brands of Apollo and Regal. Alongside the two concepts, on display are the high-speed passenger radial and 4x4 ranges - both summer and winter tyres, commercial vehicle radials and cross-ply and OTR tyres.

Apollo Tyres claims revenues of over $1 billion  and has four manufacturing units in India, two in South Africa and two in Zimbabwe. In South Africa, it has over 900 dealerships, of which 190 are Dunlop Accredited Dealers.