Apollo welcomes India’s move to tighten tire standards

New Delhi – Apollo Tyres has welcomed a moved by the Indian ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) to tighten rules on tire standards.

“We wholeheartedly welcome the MoRTH notification on tires, which will be of benefit to users,” said Apollo in a statement 4 July.

“Customers would be able to make informed purchase decisions with respect to key performance parameters while buying new tires once the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS 142:2019) kick in,” the tire maker added.

According to the MoRTH notification, all new tires meant for passenger cars, trucks and buses will have to meet the defined standards for rolling resistance, wet grip and noise emissions as of October.

Furthermore, the AIS 142:2019 stipulates that all existing tire design will have to comply with wet grip and rolling resistance standards from next April and rolling noise emissions by next June.

“These standards will set in motion the direction towards products that are more sustainable and safer,” Apollo said in its statement.

According to Apollo, the testing infrastructure in the country, which is required to implement these standards, have managed to catch up with the tire industry, but "there are some capacity gaps."

“The government’s regulations are nudging the entire automotive industry to come at par with the developed markets, thereby enhancing the export appeal and potential of Indian products,” the company added.

Apollo also called for a labelling system similar to the European one to be implemented in India.

“Providing tires with superior label values (highlighting fuel efficiency, safety and noise performance of tires), ensures that we are better prepared to incorporate these standards in India,” it added.