Hauling Cargo with Piaggio

In the late 1940s, the Italians were reeling from the effects of the Second World War. Knowing that people lacked the ability to acquire and pay for the upkeep of four-wheeled vehicles, aircraft designer CorradinoD’Ascanio — the inventor of the Vespa scooter — came up with a solution. He designed a small-scale, three-wheeled commercial vehicle that could help rebuild Italy’s economy from the ground up, giving small entrepreneurs a chance at surviving the difficult financial environment. This vehicle was the Piaggio APÉ.

In a world where small-scale entrepreneurship thrives, the APÉ remains true to what it set out to do when it first came out: help the economy from the ground up. Now, more than ever, there is a need for small economical workhorses that can deliver goods and haul cargo while traversing the small streets of the city economically.

An Ingenious Business Solution

With three new models and a wide range of customization options, the Piaggio APÉ is the most adaptable small-scale platform around. A naturally-aspirated 435cc 4-stroke single-cylinder diesel engine with direct fuel injection powers the APÉ and delivers a highly efficient 36 kilometers per liter. As a business tool, it is cost-effective and easy to maintain. It’s also EURO 4 compliant and classified as a non-polluting vehicle, even when carrying its maximum capacity, lessening its impact on the environment.

Capable of bearing half a ton, the Piaggio APÉ 3-wheeler is especially convenient for hauling cargo over narrow, crowded streets, with a footprint that measures 3,144 millimeter x 1,490 mm and carry load of 435-600 kilograms. It can be configured for basically anything—Drive-Away Chassis (DAC), City, Passenger, Long Deck, Closed Van, and 3-Wing Van—allowing it to adapt to whatever you need. Partnering with Grab, the foremost ride hailing service in the country, the APÉ can also offer alternative transport solutions to an underserved sector.

Three-Wheel Models Updated…

Last April 23, 2019 at the White Space Events Place in Makati, Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Piaggio APÉ in the Philippines, launched three new updated APÉ Diesel models – the Auto DX, Xtra LDX and Auto DAC. The first model, the APÉ Auto DX, features a passenger platform that can carry up to four passengers and a driver. Priced at P218,000, the APÉ Auto DX comes in Blanco White, Western Red, Eco-Green, Charming Blue, Jet Black and Golden Yellow.

The second model, the APÉ Xtra LDX, is the basic cargo model that comes with a 3-sided cargo deck opening that can carry 535 kilograms. Reliable and efficient, it is priced at P248,000 and comes in Blanco White and Charming Blue.

The APÉ Auto Drive-Away Chassis (DAC) is equipped with a flatbed that measures 5 feet by 5 feet (5×5), which gives it a lot of space for cargo. This model is highly customizable – it can be turned into a closed van or a 3-wing van: cafe, bar, food truck, support vehicle, or whatever you can imagine. It can also be turned into a small jeepney, patrol car, or even a fire truck, making it a good solution for local government units (LGUs), especially those with narrow roads and tight spaces. Priced at P218,000, it comes in Blanco White, Western Red, Eco-Green, and Jet Black.

… And A Four-Wheeled Piaggio, Too

After presenting the three updated three-wheeled Piaggio workhorses, Willy Tee Ten, the President of the Autohub Group,  presented the fourth affordable workhorse, the Piaggio Porter 1000. The Porter 1000 combines the toughness of a truck with the size of a city car, making it a handy solution for cargo while efficiently using space. Coupled with the ease of maintaining a small vehicle, it provides you the option to carry larger loads while avoiding the costs of a full-sized truck.

The Porter 1000’s front engine and rear wheel drive layout allow it to maximize its load capacity, letting you carry a little over a ton of cargo. With a ground clearance of 185 millimeters, it can handle most terrain around the Philippines with ease. Euro 4 compliant, the Porter 1000 can reach a top speed of 70 km/h while returning a thrifty fuel mileage of 20 kilometers per liter. Cost-effective and a great solution for larger deliveries, it is available in Eco Green, Blanco White, and Western Red.

Piaggio Ape is distributed by Autoitalia Philippines Enterprises, Inc. For inquiries, please contact (02) 251-0563, visit their showroom at 138 Brgy. Tatalon St., Quezon Avenue corner Araneta Avenue, Quezon City or check out their Facebook page: Piaggio Apé Philippines, Instagram: @piaggioape_ph and official website at www.piaggioape.com.ph.