Piaggio Vehicles, a leading manufacturer of light transportation vehicles, has announced the launch of ‘Ape Mini,' a half tonne cargo – 4-wheeler, which it believes will address a very rapidly growing cargo mover market in the country.

The new product priced uniformly at Rs 1.73 lakh ex-showroom will be available across the country within four months. Its unique sales proposition is that it addresses the last mile transport and logistics in the hub and spoke model business, according to Mr Ashutosh Khosla, Director, Sales and Marketing, Piaggio Vehicles.

Mr.Khosla told Business Line that the Ape Mini is an initiative to further expand the half tonne market where the company is a leader with its Ape 3-wheeler range.

Last year, the company sold over 1.96 lakh 3-wheelers in a market which has seen sales of about 4.5 lakh vehicles in all. The market for movement of cargo in busy cities is growing as bigger vehicles find it hard to move with restrictions from local authorities.

This is where the smaller four wheelers fit in with their versatility and ability to carry decent cargo loads. Last year, the half tonne to one tonne vehicles range sold over 1.8 lakh vehicles and this is poised for further growth.

Asked if they plan to consider any passenger mover on the Ape platform, Mr Khosla said: “We are constantly evaluating new models. We have not yet taken any decision on such an offering.”

These vehicles are designed to optimise efficiencies and thereby enhance earning potential.

The company's manufacturing base at Baramati in Maharashtra has installed capacity to make 2 lakh three-wheelers and one lakh four-wheelers a year.

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