Ciao, Piaggio Ape

The iconic little delivery van is no longer produced in Italy

For 76 years, the three-wheeled Ape (bee – but pronounced a-pay) has been a feature of Italian roads – and indeed society. Produced outside Pisa, the vehicle appeared after the second world war and was a godsend for the postwar economy. Small, easy to manoeuvre in Italy’s narrow inner-city streets and cheap; it became an essential part of many businesses.

Yet now the production is moving entirely from Italy to India, where the Ape is still a very popular vehicle, and for largely the same reasons. Why the move? Two reasons:  the Ape doesn’t meet Europe’s strict clear-air and safety regulations; and Piaggio has other vehicles that do the same job.

The small Italian car with the big pedigree

The Ape is a small car with a big pedigree. Designed in 1948 by Enrico Piaggio, director of the company of the same name, and aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, best known for the famous Vespa scooter, the three-wheeler is "one of those brilliant inventions that have contributed to changing our society," says Italy’s Il Corriere della Sera.

From now on, the Ape will only be sold in India and Africa. Piaggio, meanwhile, is not neglecting the sector at home. Its new four-wheel Porter largely picks up where the Ape left off and Piaggio is already the main provider of vehicles to the Italian postal company Poste Italiane.

Yet the Ape will live on in Europe, where they are sometimes bought and customized by fans and celebrated in user clubs.

(Michael Leahy. Source: Courrier International et al. Photo : Diego Geraldi / Unsplash )