Italy mourns the loss: the end of the legendary ape is sealed!

Italy mourns the loss: the end of the legendary ape is sealed!

Italy says goodbye to one of its most iconic vehicles: after 76 years, the Piaggio small van will no longer be produced in Tuscany, but in the future exclusively in India. This means the end of an era for a vehicle that is considered symbolic of Italian culture. According to reports from Volksblatt is the result of higher production costs in Europe as well as stricter security and environmental regulations that make it impossible for Italian manufacturing stay.

The last ape from the work in Pontedera will run off the assembly line at the end of the year. This highly estimated tricycle transporter, which has shaped Italian road traffic since its introduction in 1948, can only be purchased as a remaining item in Italy, while the new models, including electrical variants, are produced for the Asian and African market, such as Gazzetta del sud reported. Among other things, the reasons for this decision are the need to modernize the security standards, which would be associated with considerable investments and changes in motor technology.

grief for a national symbol

The announcement of the production stop has triggered grief in Italy. Union and automotive enthusiasts express their regret about the loss of a vehicle that is not only practical, but also part of the national heritage. "The ape fits our national character perfectly," noted the newspaper "La Repubblica". Despite the melancholy of loss, the changed reality of environmental regulations is inevitable. With the transition of production to India, Piaggio will in future be increasingly relying on local markets in Asia and Africa.

The change will also have an impact on the workforce in Pontedera, although according to the company's employment, employment should not be at risk. The production lines are converted to produce other models such as the Porter. Nevertheless, there will be a certain uncertainty about future jobs and investments, while the truck culture of the APE will continue to be present on the streets of India, where it will be more environmentally friendly, for example, as a competition with TUK-TUKS.