Apollo Tyres has officially opened its new outdoor tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland. The project was announced earlier and became fully operational in December 2025. This marks an important step in the company's effort to deliver high-performing winter and all-season tyres for customers worldwide.
The facility was developed in partnership with UTAC, a well-known automotive testing and certification group. It represents a major investment in advanced testing capabilities and strengthens Apollo Tyres' focus on innovation, safety, and performance. The inauguration was carried out by senior company leaders, highlighting their commitment to engineering precision and product quality.
The site has been designed to meet the demanding needs of modern tyre development. It includes snow and ice tracks that replicate real winter driving conditions, along with advanced systems to measure braking, handling, traction, and stability. The infrastructure is tailored to provide a complete evaluation of tyre performance. With full control over winter testing operations, Apollo Tyres can now schedule tests more flexibly, speed up development cycles, and carry out evaluations under varied weather conditions.
Centralising these operations also improves efficiency and reduces costs. The facility allows engineers to conduct continuous testing without relying on external arrangements. This leads to faster product validation, more accurate results, simpler logistics, and better use of resources. All of these improvements contribute to tyres that meet high standards of safety, durability, and performance.
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The new centre has been built to comply with current technical and legal requirements, while also being adaptable to future regulations. Its systems are designed to evolve with changing testing methods and certification frameworks, ensuring Apollo Tyres stays aligned with global industry standards.
"This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility, it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres' commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence," said Neeraj Kanwar, Vice Chairman and MD, Apollo Tyres Ltd. "With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to develop tyres that perform reliably in the most demanding winter conditions while maintaining exceptional year-round versatility."
"This facility is a great asset within Apollo Tyres," said Benoit Rivallant, Chief Commercial Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd. "It is more than a tyre test facility, as it gives us also the possibility to invite our customers to be part of, and experience winter testing for themselves. This will strengthen their insights in tyre development and performance."