MUMBAI, India (July 27, 2009) — Apollo Tyres Ltd. has begun production of OTR tires at a new plant in India and expects production at a second new plant, for car and truck tires, to begin before year-end, the firm's chairman told shareholders recently.
The new car and truck tire plant near Chennai, India, is designed to produce 8,000 passenger and 3,000 truck/bus radials a day.
Apollo begun production of OTR tires in the first quarter at its $27 million plant in Limbda, Gujarat, and said it continues to invest in the facility to add radial capacity there. Production initially comprises tires in rim diameters from 35 to 49 inches.
The OTR tire plant was built with the cooperation and backing of Indian heavy equipment maker BEML Ltd. and Indian coal producer Coal India Ltd.