Piaggio’s answer to Tata’s ace

Piaggio’s new four wheeler – ape truk:

The three wheeler industry has attracted less attention from major manufacturers when compared motorcycles or car industry. Now this segment is hotting up as Tata launched its ace (though it’s a four wheeler) and reaps the benefit (India’s first mini-truck – Tata’s Ace, which was launched in May 2005, is reported to be selling 6,500 units a month. In March 2007, Tata rolled out its 1,00,000th Ace within 22 months of its launch). Ace made a new segment called small commercial vehicle segment and is seen as an ideal vehicle for deal for short, narrow village roads as well as long highway hauls, for small bulky loads and large heavy ones. The lower end of the LCV (light commercial vehicles) market was seeing a major upheaval with the Supreme Court ban on overloading of cargo vehicles and a ban on entry of heavy commercial vehicles into city roads. The total market for three-wheelers in India is about 4.5 lakh vehicles a year. The cargo segment is expected to account for 55 per cent.

Piaggio ape three wheeler is the market leader in this segment. Piaggio which has 48% market share has become a dominant player in this segment. Piaggio is growing at 40% annually and from selling 35,000 three-wheelers in 2003, it breached the 1.40-lakh mark last year. Now the Italian major piaggio decides to take on the mighty Tata with its new four wheeler – ape truk. Piaggio said the Ape Truk is the India‘s only international pick-up in the sub-one-tonne category and is the same model that runs in Europe. Whether the ape truk can match the mighty Tata’s ace and will it replicate its sibling success, let’s check it!

Engine and powertrain:

Piaggio’s ape truk is powered by 482cc, single cylinder, indirect injection diesel engine which generates maximum power of 11.26bhp at 4500rpm. This water cooled engine develops a maximum torque of 23Nm at 3200rpm. Piaggio is the one which offers fuel efficient three wheelers in this mileage conscious segment. Piaggio dealers claim the new ape truk will offer 20kpl against Tata ace which offer 14kpl. You have to believe the piaggio’s words since their ape three wheeler delivers 30kpl. According to piaggio the new ape truk can achieve a maximum speed of 65kph. Unlike the 5 speeded tata’s ace, the new ape truk features 6 speed gearbox.

Driver’s zone:

Ape truk looks bold with its sturdy bumper and bigger tyres. Don’t forget this ape truk is from an Italian manufacturer. No more boring round headlamps like in the ace, ape truk’s headlamps are stylish and ape features prominent grille. Ape truk is aerodynamically designed which according to Piaggio will give you better pick-up. Though design and stylin is not a major factor in this segment I believe most will welcome this changes. Similar to the Tata’s ace, ape truk feature a car like cabin.

The ape truk has a maximum gradeability 17’ (higher than the ace) which could definitely woo the customers of northwest and other hill station commuters. Ape truk has lower minimum turning radius i.e 7.7m when compared to Tata ace’s 8.6m which means ape truk has maneuverability than ace which is essential for city riding. Ape can fill 15ltrs in its tank whereas ace can fill 30lts in tank. This may not factor you a lot since most of these mini trucks are used in city.

Piaggio ape truk features hydraulic brakes on all wheels and for parking it uses mechanical brakes on rear wheels. Steering is made by using rack and pinion similar to ace. We have to wait to see power steering in this segment. Suspension of ape truk is by McPherson at the front and twist beam cross arm at the rear. Both at the front hydraulic double acting telescopic shock absorbers are offered to control the vibration. You can expect good riding and handling characteristics in the new ape truk than piaggio’s other offering because of this superior suspension.

Accessories and Versatility:

Steering lock with ignition key, roof lamp with integrated rear view mirror, both side sun visors and integrated blinkers are special add-on accessories offered by piaggio for the ape truk.

With three side openable panels ape truk can be easily loaded/ unloaded and ape truk’s off the road capability is enhanced by its higher ground clearance of 185mm along with bigger and wider(155 R13) tyres. Tata’s ace has an edge over ape truk in power to weight ratio, but ape has its advantage over ace in gross to kerb weight ratio. You can apply a payload of 865kg in this 685kg ape truk. When comes to dimensions again tata ace scores more points than ape truk Also with loading height of 675mm tata ace is more useful in loading and unloading than ape truk.

Price and service:

Ape Truk comes with an aggressive price tag of Rs 2,15,000 (ex-showroom, Chennai) against Tata Ace, which is available at about Rs 2,50,000. Piaggio offers 1yr or 36000km warranty and 8 free services for its new ape truk. To enhance the customer foucs Piaggio plans to sell the new Ape truk through a separate chain of dealerships alongside its existing chain of three-wheeler outlets (230 dealers and 230 sales outpoints).

Certainly with aggressive pricing and with Piaggio’s impeccable service ape truk will try to ace the tata’s ace. A healthy competition ahead in this segment is sure with ape’s arrival.

More crackers in this segment:

Mahindra, Bajaj, Atul auto, MLR motors, Ashok Leyland, Hindustan Motors, TVS Motor Company and even car majors like Hyundai and Maruti Suzuki is planning to enter this fast growing segment. Here are their plans.

*Mahindra is working on a mass-market cargo and passenger vehicle that would be the first vehicle offering from its Pune plant.

*The Rajkot-based Atul Auto Ltd will launch its four-wheeler light commercial vehicle (LCV) in two years.

*Hyderabad based MLR motors will launch a micro commercial vehicle and a passenger variant by January 2008.

*Hyundai Motor Corporation, Korea, plans to set up a light commercial vehicle (LCV) manufacturing plant in India. Though Hyundai denied it may launch it LCV porter.

*Tata plans an electric variant of ace and also a new LCV platform. Also a panel van on ace platform will be launched.

*Bajaj Auto is working on a four-wheeled goods carrier and it could be launched in 2-3 years.

*Other major players such as TVS, Hindustan Motors, Ashok Leyland and Suzuki are seriously mulling their foray in to this segment.