Piaggio launches Apé variants

Piaggio India launched two variants of its Apé three-wheeler called Apé Xtra and Apé Xtra LD in Chennai on March 12. These are priced at Rs 130,800 and Rs 134,800 ex-showroom Chennai.

The Apé Xtra loading platform is made from cold-rolled steel and has additional reinforcements to enhance the strength and durability of the tray. The Apé Xtra LD has an extra- long deck that is increased by 180mm, making it the longest load body in its category. The engines of these variants are designed to deliver higher power while the gearbox and clutch have been strengthened. According to J Narayanan, "Piaggio expects to sell 30,000 units of the two new variants during 2008."

At present the Piaggio plant at Baramati in Maharashtra has a capacity to make two lakh three-wheelers per annum and 36,000 four-wheelers annually. However, the company can ramp up production capacity to meet market demand.

Piaggio is a key player in the light transportation business and has a 44 percent share of the market in the cargo vehicle segment and 36 percent in the passenger vehicle segment. Its market share in the overall three-wheeler business stands at 39 percent and aims to make it over 40 percent in 2008. The company sold over 1.5 lakh vehicles in 2007. Apé vehicles, which run mainly on diesel, also have CNG and LPG variants and the manufacturer has recently forayed into the four-wheeler segment by launching the Apé Truk.

It plans to introduce LPG variants in three-wheelers in Tamil Nadu soon. However, the company believes that though the government has been insisting on vehicles running on alternative fuel, the availability of CNG and LPG has to improve if these vehicles are to prove successful.

Currently, the southern region contributes to around 50 percent of the company’s sales volumes and Piaggio is looking at ways to increase its presence in western and central India.