Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched a mobile retail van that will travel to villages across India to sell and advise on tyres, removing the need for rural customers to travel to urban dealerships for purchases or product information.
The first unit was flagged off on May 20, 2026, at Pandavapura village in Mandya, Karnataka, by Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Commercial, Apollo Tyres Ltd. The company plans to expand to 25 such vehicles nationally within 18 to 24 months.
Each van carries a curated selection of tyres and is staffed by trained representatives who provide guidance on tyre selection, usage, and maintenance at the point of sale. The format is intended to address a gap in product access and consumer awareness in areas where tyre dealerships are sparse or absent entirely.
Rural markets in India have historically been underserved by organised retail in the automotive components sector. Customers in remote areas often rely on limited local options or must travel considerable distances to access branded products and technical advice, a barrier that can affect vehicle safety and maintenance decisions.
Rajesh Dahiya said the initiative was aimed at reducing these access gaps. "By bringing our products and expertise directly to the customers' doorstep, we aim to simplify the buying journey and ensure that even the most remote communities have access to the right mobility solutions," he said.
The launch event also included a free health checkup camp organised in collaboration with Apollo Tyres Foundation, the company's community development arm.
Apollo Tyres Ltd is an India-headquartered international tyre manufacturer with production facilities in India, the Netherlands, and Hungary. The company markets products under the Apollo and Vredestein brands, with a distribution presence in over 100 countries through branded and multi-product retail outlets.