To further strengthen its leadership position in India, especially in the commercial vehicle (CV) segment, Apollo Tyres, one of the leading tyre manufacturers in India, has introduced a breakthrough product in cross-ply technology.

The launch of Apollo Abhimanyu, a cross-ply rib tyre for steer axles in CVs, will help the company capitalise on the upsurge in the cross-ply industry in recent months in India, and radialisation on steer axles still being at lower levels compared to drive axles.

This rib tyre has been launched basis the customers’ feedback, and many man hours of research and development to perfect the product to deliver the best performance to the end consumers across applications.

Before the launch, Apollo Abhimanyu has been tested for more than 2.5 million kilometres, both at the company's indoor testing facilities, as well as, in real time conditions across all applications. Designed and developed at Apollo Tyres Global R&D Centre Asia, in Chennai, this tyre is currently being produced at the company’s manufacturing unit in Perambra, Kerala.

The company intends to create a new benchmark in performance with Apollo Abhimanyu in the steer tyre space, where the radialisation is still to catch-up, and bias tyres still account for over 60% of the overall steer tyre category.

Commenting on the launch, Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres said, "The steer position is the most critical on any commercial vehicle, and the tyre used on its steer axle position demands highest design precision and manufacturing controls. To continue our leadership position in the CV segment and create a benchmark in the cross-ply category, even when the radialisation is happening at a fast pace, it is important for us to have such differentiating products."

Shares of the company declined Rs 20.05, or 8.97%, to settle  at  Rs 203.55.  The total volume of shares traded  was  567,643 at  the BSE (Monday).