PIAGGIO PEOPLE MOVERS

CNG continues to be the mainstay for auto rickshaws. Prateek Pardeshi comes back impressed with the new generation, Piaggio Apé NXT+.

- Prateek Pardeshi

The three-wheelers segment surprised many when e-rickshaw sales surpassed ICE counterparts for the very first time in June 2022. Nevertheless, the CNG auto-rickshaws as they are popularly called continue to hold the fort and amount a significant share of the overall pie. On a YTD 2022 basis, people movers continue to command a major chunk. Even the case with Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (PVPL). Projecting demand to sustain, PVPL is banking on the new Apé NXT+ that includes three variants including a CNG option. Speaking on the occasion, Diego Graffi, Chairman and Managing Director, of PVPL, averred, "At Piaggio, we are thrilled to launch another three-wheeler passenger vehicle with CNG, LPG and petrol fuel variants. The rising demand for alternate fuel options and the need to control pollution is giving an impetus to CNG-powered vehicles."

The Apé NXT+ was developed in India, with research and feedback from customers. Saju Nair, EVP and Head Domestic Business CV (ICE) and Retail Finance, PVPL, said, "The Apé NXT+ has been developed after thorough research and extensive customer feedback. With the increase in fuel costs, we understood our customers' need for higher mileage with a cost-saving approach and, therefore, Apé NXT+ was born." The Apé NXT+ lineup also boasts an LPG and petrol variant. The company is hoping to tap into demand by pricing the CNG variant at Rs.2,35,811, with the LPG variant priced at Rs.2,12,212 and the petrol variant at Rs.2,12,212 (ex-showroom, Pune as per pricing at launch). This coupled with the recent minimum fare hike (with effect from October 1) is expected to increase operator earnings.

A BALANCING ACT