Apollo Tyres Ltd., is one of the leading tyre manufacturers in India, with a global presence and a reputation for quality and innovation. Established in 1972 and based out of Gurgaon, Haryana, the company has its manufacturing units spread across the world, such as in India, Hungary, and the Netherlands. In fact, its journey from a small Indian enterprise to a multinational corporation shows its resilience, adaptability, and commitment to excellence.
The logo of the company has served as its brand identity for many years now. It has seen a few changes since the founding of the company. The article delves into the various logo iterations of Apollo Tyres over the years.
The Genesis of the Apollo Tyres Logo (1972–2009)
This vintage logo comprised an emblem featuring the hollow of a tyre in red and the wordmark “APOLLO TYRES LTD” in a bold, black serif typeface with sharp contours of individual letters. The letters had straight cuts and protruding glyphs, which conveyed a sense of straightforwardness, friendliness, and inventiveness. Conveying a blend of form and function, the red coloured emblem could also be interpreted as a winding road set against a white background. And when enclosed within a thin roundel, the logo pointed to the core product of the company.
A Clean Wordmark (2009 – Present)
The logo redesign of 2009 ditched the circular emblem in favour of a clean wordmark comprising the brand name. In this iteration, the brand name “Apollo Tyres” is written in two levels, styles, and sizes, and in contrasting shades of purple. For instance, “apollo” in the first level is rendered in lowercase with rounded contours to convey modernity and approachability. Here, each letter of “apollo” except the “l” features a distinct ‘o’ in the middle to reinforce the identity of the company as a manufacturer of tyres.
The second level showcases the italicised wordmark “TYRES” in uppercase but in a smaller size. It offers a visual anchor to the logo and suggests the dependable nature of the company. Blending visual aesthetics with functionality, the logo in a lighter shade of purple gives the impression of the company being customer-friendly, innovative, and an industry leader.
The Current Logo (2021–Today)
In 2021, the logo iteration saw the evolution of the company’s branding yet again, wherein the brand name “APOLLO TYRES LTD” was shown in a black sans-serif typeface in uppercase. Exuding reliability and professionalism, the wordmark conveys a feel of authority and robustness. The distinct feature of this logo iteration is the presence of a stylized “A” with an extended glyph wrapped in a swirl-like element. On its part, the swirl-like element in gradient purple denotes the rotational motion of the tyre and is a nod to the nature of the business.
The purple colour conveying energy and vibrancy stands in sharp contrast to the black wordmark conveying solidity. Further, the 3D aspect of the swirl-like element gives a modern touch and symbolises the dynamism of the company. The overall logo has a modern and progressive appearance.
The Elements of the Apollo Tyres Logo
Font
The wordmark that forms a part of the logo of Apollo Tyres is rendered in a sans-serif typeface in black to display reliability and professionalism. Besides, the stylized letter “A” with a glyph of straight cuts is wrapped around by a swirl-like element, both of which represent the speed and movement of tyres.
Colour
The colour palette of the logo comprises a shade of gradient purple forming the swirl, a black wordmark, and a white background. Here, the shade of gradient purple represents the vibrancy and energy of the brand, while black symbolises solidity and a sense of authority.
The History of Apollo Tyres
Apollo Tyres was founded in 1972 by Onkar S. Kanwar in Perambra, Kerala, India. The company started as a small-scale manufacturer of truck tyres that catered primarily to the domestic market. In its early years, Apollo focused on building a strong foundation in India. It did so by establishing its first plant and gradually expanding its product range.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Apollo Tyres experienced significant growth. The company expanded its manufacturing capabilities and opened new plants across India. It also began to diversify its product portfolio. By the late 1990s, Apollo had become one of India’s leading tyre manufacturers and had created a strong presence in both the commercial and passenger vehicle segments.
The new millennium marked a turning point for Apollo Tyres as it embarked on its journey to become a global player. In 2006, the company made its first major international acquisition by purchasing Dunlop Tyres International in South Africa and Zimbabwe. This move gave Apollo a foothold in the African market and access to new technologies and expertise.
In 2009, Apollo further expanded its global presence by acquiring the Netherlands-based Vredestein Banden B.V. This acquisition provided Apollo with a strong presence in Europe and also enhanced its technological capabilities, particularly in the high-performance passenger car tyre segment.
As Apollo Tyres grew, it placed increasing emphasis on research and development, innovation, and sustainability. The company invested heavily in state-of-the-art R&D facilities in India and the Netherlands. It focused on developing advanced tyre technologies and sustainable manufacturing processes.
Apollo has also been at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices in the tyre industry. The company has implemented various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. These include the use of recycled materials, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and the development of eco-friendly tyre compounds.
Today, Apollo Tyres is a global entity with manufacturing units in India, the Netherlands, and Hungary. The company produces a wide range of tyres for various vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, buses, and off-highway vehicles. Apollo’s products are sold in over 100 countries, and the company has established itself as a trusted brand in many international markets.
Interesting Facts About Apollo Tyres
- Apollo Tyres began its journey in 1972 and caters to more than 100 countries worldwide.
- The first factory of Apollo Tyres was set up in Perambra, Thrissur, Kerala, in 1975.
- The manufacturing facilities of Apollo Tyres are spread in five locations in India, besides one each in Hungary and the Netherlands.
- In 2006, Apollo Tyres bought Dunlop Tyre’s International for a sum of Rs. 290 crores.
- In 2009, Apollo Tyres bought Vredestein Banden B.V., a Netherlands-based tyre manufacturer. The company was later named Apollo Vredestein B.V.
- In 2015, Apollo Tyres bought Reifencom of Germany, a multi-brand distributor of tyres, for 45.6 million euros.
- Apollo Tyres has established a R&D centre in Frankfurt, Germany.
- Apollo Tyres has made racing tyres that can withstand a speed of 320 kmph. It has also designed tyres that can last up to 1,000,000 km.
- Apollo Tyres manufactures tyres for two-wheelers as well.
- In addition to manufacturing vehicle tyres, the company also manufactures tyres for the mining vehicles of BEML and other vehicles, such as forklifts, tippers, and others.
- Apollo Tyres has invested about 475 million euros to expand the manufacturing capability of its Hungarian plant. The aim is to produce about 5.5 million passenger car tyres every year.
- Apollo Tyres has made an initiative called “Tyres to Turf,” which aims at repurposing old tyres into sports pitches.
- Apollo Tyres is known for taking initiatives under the CSR program, especially concerning HIV-AIDS awareness and managing waste.
- Apollo Tyres has been adjusted as one of the best companies to work for in Asia and Europe.
Finally
The various iterations of the Apollo Tyre logo reflect the journey of the company from a local Indian manufacturer to a global tyre company. Each iteration of the logo has represented the growth, aspirations, and commitment of the company to innovation and quality. With Apollo Tyres continuing to evolve and expand its global footprint, it remains committed to its core values of customer-centricity, innovation, and sustainability.