Apollo Tyres Ltd has inaugurated its dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility at Ivalo, Finland, marking a significant step in its commitment to winter and all-season tyre performance. The facility, developed under a long-term agreement with UTAC, became fully operational in December 2025 and was formally opened on February 24, 2026.

The purpose-built site includes snow and ice tracks replicating real-world winter conditions, advanced measurement systems for braking and handling, and tailored infrastructure for comprehensive tyre evaluation. With full autonomy over winter testing operations, Apollo Tyres gains flexibility in scheduling and accelerated development cycles.

The facility is designed to comply with current technical and legal requirements while anticipating future regulatory standards.

Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, "This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility, it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres' commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence. With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to develop tyres that perform reliably in the most demanding winter conditions while maintaining exceptional year-round versatility."

“This facility is a great asset within Apollo Tyres,” said Benoit Rivallant, Chief Commercial Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd. “It is more than a tyre test facility, as it gives us also the possibility to invite our customers to be part of, and experience winter testing for themselves. This will strengthen their insights in tyre development and performance.”

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “The launch of our dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility is a major step forward for our R&D capabilities. It gives us highly consistent, real-world data, enabling faster validation and quicker speed to market. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to continuously improve tyre performance, safety and sustainability -- delivering better products to our customers, faster.”

Apollo Tyres markets products under the Apollo and Vredestein brands, with manufacturing units in India, the Netherlands, and Hungary, and distribution in over 100 countries.