Apollo drives into Bangladesh market

Tyre manufacturer Apollo today announced its foray into the Bangladesh market by tying up with Rahimafrooz Distribution, manufacturer and distributor of automotive and industrial batteries.

"Bangladesh is predominantly a cross-ply market and that's where we think we can create value for our customers in mileage, fuel economy and service.

The Rahimafrooz Group, with its aspirations is a perfect partner for us, with its robust network, its trained sales force and service backup," Apollo Tyres Head (International Sales) Rajesh Kumar said in a statement.

The Rahimafrooz Group has more than 10 exclusive outlets across Bangladesh having more than 500 dealers and retailers.

The Bangladesh cross-ply tyre market in the commercial segment has a market size of 45,000 and 30,000 heavy and light commercial vehicle tyres a month.

Kumar said Apollo Tyres also plans to introduce Endurance range of truck-bus radials in Bangladesh. "We will soon bring out our Endurance range of truck-bus radials. Since usage of radial tyres is still low, much like it was in India a few years back, we will begin by working closely with commercial vehicle customers to help them realise the radial advantage."

Apollo Tyres currently exports to 70 countries. It manufactures tyres in three continents and has four plants in India, four in South Africa and one in the Netherlands.