Value Proposition of Piaggio Apé Three-Wheeler Mini Truck
Published On Jul 21, 2016
A leading manufacturer of three-wheeler and two-wheeler vehicles worldwide, Piaggio has gained popularity globally over the years. Piaggio Vehicles Private Limited (PVPL), the company’s offshoot in India started its India operations in the year 1999 with the launch of the brand Apé, and the vehicles launched under this brand have revolutionized the three-wheeler segment in India. Priced from a starting range of INR 1.4 lakh (ex-showroom), Piaggio Apé has been rolled out in 12 variants with different fuel and body options.
Piaggio Apé comes with a single cylinder water cooled engine which has a displacement of 395 cc and complies with BS-IV emission norms. The drivetrain also includes one engine cylinder, a manual transmission, and a 5-speed gearbox. The engine generates a max power of 9 bhp @ 3400 rpm and a max torque of 22.2 rpm @ 2000 rpm, which is quite decent for a three-wheeler cargo vehicle.
A 975 kg GVW supports a payload capacity of 494 kg. Apé can easily carry milk containers, soda crates, vegetables and other FMCG goods.
Piaggio Apé has a good wheelbase of 1920 mm (standard models) and 2100 mm (available only in Apé Xtra LD), and a ground clearance of 165 mm, which makes the vehicle steady on pot-holed roads and off-road conditions. A decent gradeability of 18%, coupled with good torque specifications, helps this three-wheeler truck easily maneuver basement slopes and uphill roads, even when fully loaded.
With an 18.13 liters fuel tank, this vehicle performs quite well for city transportation. The Apé Xtra LD version has a 20 percent bigger loading area than the standard model and displays a maximum mileage of 34 km/l, promising the maximum value for money. This model also claims to have the lowest operational costs and the highest resale value, promising a tempting buy for business owners.
The Xtra version also comes with a new, strong deck panel for higher load carrying capacity and a tray life for more durability. Apart from other strong aggregates, Apé comes with a strong clutch that withstands extra torque and saves on maintenance cost.
Piaggio also has widespread dealership throughout India and has an easily reachable customer care center. Piaggio Apé also comes with a 24 months warranty and has already catered to 19 lakh customers.
