MAM
Apollo Tyres sharpens focus on the SUV segment in India
MUMBAI: Apollo tyres have further consolidated their range in the SUV tyre segment with the launch of Apterra AT2, a tyre designed specially for the off-road enthusiasts.
Designed and developed as a collaborative effort between the two Global R&D Centres — in Enschede, the Netherlands and in Chennai, India — and a cross-functional team comprising members from R&D, Manufacturing, Service, Business Quality and Marketing, Apterra AT2 has been thoroughly tested in the toughest conditions across various countries
Commenting on the launch, Satish Sharma, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Apollo Tyres Ltd said,“We are sharpening our focus on the SUV-segment in India, with specialised tyres for different terrains, as this vehicle segment is growing faster than passenger cars. The excellent test results, and the global efforts that have gone into developing the Apollo Apterra AT2, gives us the confidence that this tyre will set a new benchmark in the all-terrain tyre space, and will further propel our leadership in the SUV segment.”
The launch is supported by a high powered 360 media campaign. The first commercial for Apterra range developed by Wunderman Thompson along with the host of content for digital medium.
Commenting on the launch, Joy Chauhan, Managing Partner Wunderman Thompson, Delhi, said, “Apollo Apterra’s latest campaign “Bad Road Go To Good Places” will not only resonate with every off-roading and adventure enthusiast but will also connect with travellers at large as it captures an extremely important life truth as well . The campaign platform gives us an opportunity to develop rich content and engagement with our target users. We have already launched a community for off-roading enthusiasts “Bad Road Buddies” to further build on the culture of off-roading in India as well as all the markets where Apollo Apterra is present.”
“Bad roads lead to good places” is not just a philosophy but a way of life for an adventure seeker. Through this communication we wanted to change the stereotype of a “good place” in the consumers mind. We all know how a regular road leads to a regular mundane place, but when you push yourself and take-up a bad road, you reach an untouched, unexplored mythical place. It’s like hunting for a mystical, reaching a place which no one has ever seen. The campaign aims to pump-up all the existing and future SUV riders with a hope of opening up a new world of possibilities adds Sundeep Sehgal ECD Wunderman Thompson.
Apollo’s existing Apterra range including specialised Highway Luxury (HL), Highway Terrain (HT), High Performance (HP) and the All -Terrain (AT) tyres across various sizes catering to majority of SUV models.
MAM
Flipkart promotes Kunal Gupta to SVP amid quick commerce push
Minutes head to lead expansion as dark store network set to hit 1,600
MUMBAI: In the race where minutes matter, Flipkart is betting on a familiar hand to move faster.Flipkart has elevated Kunal Gupta, vice president and head of Minutes and grocery, to senior vice president, signalling a sharper focus on its quick commerce ambitions. The move, confirmed via an internal email reviewed by Moneycontrol, comes as the Walmart-owned firm doubles down on high-frequency delivery, positioning its Minutes vertical as a key growth engine.
According to Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Gupta brings a proven track record in turning around businesses and scaling high-growth categories, having led roles across fashion, mobiles and large appliances during his tenure at Flipkart.
Gupta, who joined the company in 2014, has spent over a decade across multiple business units and most recently steered the Minutes and Grocery vertical. In his new role, he will continue to oversee Minutes and report directly to Krishnamurthy.
The elevation comes at a time when competition in quick commerce is intensifying, with rivals such as Amazon (via Amazon Now), Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy (through Instamart) and BigBasket all racing to capture market share.
Flipkart is also gearing up to launch a standalone app for Minutes currently housed within the main platform marking a shift towards a more dedicated, speed-first user experience for grocery and essentials.
On the infrastructure front, the company is set to double its network of dark stores to 1,600 in the coming months, underscoring the scale of its push.
As the quick commerce battle heats up, Flipkart’s message is clear, speed isn’t just a feature, it’s the strategy.
