Apollo Tyres Opens Exclusive Outdoor Tyre Testing Centre in Finland to Boost Winter Tyre Development

Apollo Tyres Ltd has formally opened its outdoor tyre testing facility at Ivalo, Finland, marking a new stage in its global research and development operations. The facility, announced earlier in 2025 and operational since December, will be used for testing winter and all-season tyres across different road and climate conditions.

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Developed under a long-term partnership with UTAC, an international automotive testing and certification group, the Ivalo facility is the first of its kind for Apollo Tyres. It gives the company an independent location for testing tyre safety and performance in extreme conditions. The site was inaugurated by Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director; Benoit Rivallant, Chief Commercial Officer; and Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer of Apollo Tyres.

The outdoor testing facility has dedicated snow and ice tracks that replicate various real-world winter driving situations. It includes systems for collecting precise data on braking, traction, handling and stability. With complete control over testing operations, Apollo can plan tests through the entire winter season without external scheduling limits. This setup supports faster tyre development and consistent evaluation.

By consolidating winter testing in Finland, Apollo Tyres expects shorter product validation timelines and improved data accuracy. The facility also helps reduce logistical requirements and enables better use of engineering resources. These gains are aimed at strengthening the company’s ability to build tyres that maintain performance through different temperature ranges and surfaces.

According to the company, this testing site meets all current technical and legal standards and is ready for future regulatory updates. It allows the research team to adopt new testing methods and certification processes as global requirements evolve.

“This inauguration reflects Apollo Tyres’ focus on continuous improvement in innovation and safety,” said Neeraj Kanwar. “With this facility, we can deliver tyres that perform reliably under diverse winter conditions while keeping all-season capability in mind.”

Benoit Rivallant said the centre also creates opportunities for customers to observe and participate in on-site evaluations, giving them clearer insights into tyre testing and performance.

For Apollo Tyres, the Ivalo facility marks a critical step in expanding its R&D network and establishing a stronger position in the global winter and all-season tyre market.